Column chromatography, includes mass spectrometry, if performed (eg, HPLC, LC, LC/MS, LC/MS-MS, GC, GC/MS-MS, GC/MS, HPLC/MS), non-drug analyte(s) not elsewhere specified, qualitative or quantitative, each specimen
CPT4 code
Name of the Procedure:
Column chromatography, including mass spectrometry (e.g., HPLC, LC, LC/MS, LC/MS-MS, GC, GC/MS-MS, GC/MS, HPLC/MS), non-drug analyte(s) not elsewhere specified, qualitative or quantitative, each specimen.
Summary
Column chromatography combined with mass spectrometry is a laboratory technique used to separate and analyze components within a sample. It can determine the presence and quantity of specific non-drug analytes. The method is highly precise and can be tailored to various chemical analyses.
Purpose
The procedure helps in identifying and quantifying non-drug analytes in biological samples. It is frequently used in clinical biochemistry, forensic investigations, and environmental testing. The main goal is to detect and measure specific components to aid in diagnosis or research.
Indications
- Diagnosis of metabolic disorders
- Monitoring of biomarkers for disease progression
- Forensic analysis for toxic substances
- Environmental testing for pollutants
- Quality control in biomanufacturing
Preparation
- Patients might be required to fast for a certain period.
- Avoidance of specific medications that could interfere with the test results.
- Pre-procedure diagnostic tests might include blood or urine sampling.
Procedure Description
- Sample Collection: A specimen (e.g., blood, urine) is collected from the patient.
- Preparation: The sample is prepared and sometimes treated with specific reagents.
- Injection: The prepared sample is introduced into the column chromatography system.
- Separation: The components of the sample are separated based on their interactions with the column material.
- Detection: Mass spectrometry is used to detect and quantify the separated components.
- Analysis: The data is recorded and analyzed to produce qualitative and quantitative results.
No anesthesia or sedation is required as it is usually a non-invasive process focused on laboratory analysis.
Duration
The analytical part of the procedure can vary from a few minutes to several hours, depending on the complexity of the sample and the specific technique used.
Setting
The procedure is conducted in a laboratory setting equipped with specialized chromatography and mass spectrometry instruments.
Personnel
- Medical laboratory technicians or technologists
- Clinical laboratory scientists
- Biochemists
- Data analysts
Risks and Complications
- Minimal risk as it is primarily a laboratory procedure.
- Rare instances of sample contamination or degradation.
- Handling errors that could affect results.
Benefits
- Highly accurate and reliable results.
- Ability to detect very low concentrations of analytes.
- Useful in diagnosing various medical conditions and in research.
Recovery
- No physical recovery is needed as the procedure is non-invasive.
- Patients can generally resume normal activities immediately after the sample collection.
Alternatives
- Immunoassays: May be less specific and sensitive.
- Spectrophotometry: Limited in detecting low concentration analytes.
- NMR spectroscopy: Offers good resolution but can be less sensitive.
Patient Experience
- The procedure itself is pain-free as most interactions occur in a lab.
- Depending on the sample type, minor discomfort might occur during collection (e.g., blood draw).
- Patients can discuss pain management strategies for sample collection with healthcare providers.