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LE cell test |
| Definition: |
| A test that measures the presence of a special cell found mostly in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. |
| Alternative Names: |
| Lupus erythematosus test |
| How the test is performed: |
| Adult or child: Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic, and a tourniquet (an elastic band) or blood pressure cuff is placed around the upper arm to apply pressure and restrict blood flow through the vein. This causes veins below the tourniquet to distend (fill with blood). A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. During the procedure, the tourniquet is removed to restore circulation. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding. Infant or young child: The area is cleansed with antiseptic and punctured with a sharp needle or a lancet. The blood may be collected in a pipette (small glass tube), on a slide, onto a test strip, or into a small container. Cotton or a bandage may be applied to the puncture site if there is any continued bleeding. |
| How to prepare for the test: |
| Infants and children: The physical and psychological preparation you can provide for this or any test or procedure depends on your child's age, interests, previous experiences, and level of trust. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics as they correspond to your child's age:
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| How the test will feel: |
| When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing. |
| Why the test is performed: |
| The LE cell test is used primarily to diagnose systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). |
| Normal Values: |
| No presence of LE cells is normal. |
| What abnormal results mean: |
| The LE cell test is used primarily to diagnose systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). About 50 to 75% of patients with SLE have a positive test. Some patients with rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and drug sensitivities (see drug-induced lupus erythematosus) also exhibit a positive LE cell test. |
| What the risks are: |
| Special considerations: |
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The LE cell test is now only rarely performed and mostly has historic significance. Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others. |
Reviewed By: Birgit Kovacs, M.D., Division of Rheumatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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