Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Stockholder's Equity - Additional Information (Detail)

v2.4.1.9
Stockholder's Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
3 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 0 Months Ended
Feb. 28, 2015
May 31, 2012
Feb. 28, 2014
Nov. 30, 2014
Dec. 01, 2013
Nov. 26, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Share distribution period 20 days          
Granted, Shares 0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross          
Shares granted during period 0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod          
Common stock, par value $ 0.01us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare     $ 0.01us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare    
Common shares exchange ratio One Common Share per Right          
Preferred Stock, redemption price Per Share $ 0.01us-gaap_PreferredStockRedemptionPricePerShare          
Market price for common stock, percentage 50.00%ccel_AssociateStockPurchasePlanPricePercentageOfCommonStockMarketPrice          
Assets sale percentage 50.00%ccel_NetCashProceedsFromSaleOfAssetsPercentage          
Rights expiration date Dec. 05, 2017          
2000 Plan [Member] | Employee Stock Incentive Plan [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Common stock for issuance pursuant to stock options or restricted stock 2,250,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ us-gaap_OptionIndexedToIssuersEquityEquityAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ccel_TwoThousandPlanMember
         
Share distribution period 3 years          
Options exercisable period after termination 90 days          
Granted, Shares 2,500us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_OptionIndexedToIssuersEquityEquityAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ccel_TwoThousandPlanMember
    2,500us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_OptionIndexedToIssuersEquityEquityAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ccel_TwoThousandPlanMember
   
Number of shares available for grant 0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
/ us-gaap_OptionIndexedToIssuersEquityEquityAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ccel_TwoThousandPlanMember
         
2000 Plan [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Employee Stock Incentive Plan [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Term of options 5 years          
2000 Plan [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Employee Stock Incentive Plan [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Term of options 7 years          
2006 Plan [Member] | Employee Stock Incentive Plan [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Common stock for issuance pursuant to stock options or restricted stock 1,000,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ us-gaap_OptionIndexedToIssuersEquityEquityAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ccel_TwoThousandSixPlanMember
         
Number of shares available for grant 267,845us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
/ us-gaap_OptionIndexedToIssuersEquityEquityAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ccel_TwoThousandSixPlanMember
         
Options issued 588,931ccel_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesIssuedButNotYetExercised
/ us-gaap_OptionIndexedToIssuersEquityEquityAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ccel_TwoThousandSixPlanMember
    594,766ccel_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesIssuedButNotYetExercised
/ us-gaap_OptionIndexedToIssuersEquityEquityAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ccel_TwoThousandSixPlanMember
   
2012 Plan [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Common stock for issuance pursuant to stock options or restricted stock 1,500,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ccel_TwoThousandTwelvePlanMember
         
Number of shares available for grant 1,795,911us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ccel_TwoThousandTwelvePlanMember
         
2012 Plan [Member] | Employee Stock Incentive Plan [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Increase in common stock reserved for issuance   2,500,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfAdditionalSharesAuthorized
/ us-gaap_OptionIndexedToIssuersEquityEquityAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ccel_TwoThousandTwelvePlanMember
       
Preferred Stock Rights Plan [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Common stock, par value           $ 0.01us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ccel_PreferredStockRightsPlanMember
Terms for right to purchasing preferred stock Each Right represents the right to purchase from the Company one one-thousandth (1/1,000) of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Shares"), subject to adjustment as provided in the Rights Agreement. This fraction of a Preferred Share is substantially similar to a Common Share, in that the Rights Agreement provides for each Preferred Share to have the voting, liquidation and dividend rights that are equivalent to 1,000 times the rights of a Common Share.          
Stock Option [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Options exercised $ 0ccel_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardSharesExercisedValue
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
  $ 0ccel_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardSharesExercisedValue
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
     
Stockholder Rights Agreement [Member] | Minimum [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Acquisition of common stock outstanding percentage 20.00%ccel_PurchaseOfCommonStockPercentageOnOutstandingShares
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis
= ccel_StockholderRightsAgreementMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
         
Addition of common stock outstanding percentage 0.25%ccel_AdditionalPercentageOfOutstandingSharesAcquired
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis
= ccel_StockholderRightsAgreementMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
         
Increase in common stock outstanding percentage 22.50%ccel_PercentageIncreaseInSharesOfOutstandingShares
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis
= ccel_StockholderRightsAgreementMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
         
Service-Based Vesting Condition Options [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Granted, Shares 991,431us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ccel_ServiceBasedVestingConditionOptionsMember
    997,266us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ccel_ServiceBasedVestingConditionOptionsMember
   
Granted, Shares 0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ccel_ServiceBasedVestingConditionOptionsMember
         
Service-Based Vesting Condition Options [Member] | 2000 Plan [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted 18,500us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedShareBasedAwardsOtherThanOptions
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ccel_ServiceBasedVestingConditionOptionsMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ccel_TwoThousandPlanMember
         
Service-Based Vesting Condition Options [Member] | 2006 Plan [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted 18,500us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedShareBasedAwardsOtherThanOptions
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ccel_ServiceBasedVestingConditionOptionsMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ccel_TwoThousandSixPlanMember
         
Service-Based Vesting Condition Options [Member] | 2012 Plan [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted 18,500us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedShareBasedAwardsOtherThanOptions
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ccel_ServiceBasedVestingConditionOptionsMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ccel_TwoThousandTwelvePlanMember
         
Service-Based Vesting Condition Options [Member] | Stock Option [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Weighted-average period 6 months 4 days          
Total fair value of shares vested 19,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ccel_ServiceBasedVestingConditionOptionsMember
/ us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_StockOptionMember
         
Performance Shares [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Granted, Shares 0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
  0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
     
Options outstanding 0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
  0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
     
Market-Based Vesting Condition Options [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Granted, Shares 0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ccel_MarketBasedVestingConditionOptionsMember
  0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ccel_MarketBasedVestingConditionOptionsMember
     
Options outstanding 0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ccel_MarketBasedVestingConditionOptionsMember
  0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ccel_MarketBasedVestingConditionOptionsMember
     
Restricted Common Shares [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted       60,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedShareBasedAwardsOtherThanOptions
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
   
Description of minimum requirement to be satisfied by employee for restricted common share The Employment Agreements state if David Portnoy and Mark Portnoy are employed by the Company on November 30, 2014, then no later than February 15, 2015, the Company will grant up to 186,487 and 162,163 shares of restricted common shares, respectively, based on certain performance thresholds, as defined in the agreements.          
Description of minimum requirement to be satisfied by employee for additional restricted common share In addition, if David Portnoy and Mark Portnoy are employed by the Company on November 30, 2015, then no later than February 15, 2016, the Company will grant up to an additional 186,487 and 162,163 shares of restricted common shares, respectively, based on similar performance thresholds, as defined in the agreements.          
Restricted Common Shares [Member] | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Fair value of shares under stock ownership plan 134,000us-gaap_EmployeeStockOwnershipPlanESOPDeferredSharesFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember
         
Restricted Common Shares [Member] | David Portnoy [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Common stock for issuance pursuant to stock options or restricted stock 186,487us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= ccel_CoCeoOneMember
         
Number of shares available for grant 31,087us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= ccel_CoCeoOneMember
         
Additional restricted common shares to be granted 186,487ccel_AdditionalRestrictedStocksNumberOfSharesGranted
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= ccel_CoCeoOneMember
         
Restricted Common Shares [Member] | Mark Portnoy [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Common stock for issuance pursuant to stock options or restricted stock 162,163us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= ccel_CoCeoTwoMember
         
Number of shares available for grant 27,033us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= ccel_CoCeoTwoMember
         
Additional restricted common shares to be granted 162,163ccel_AdditionalRestrictedStocksNumberOfSharesGranted
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= ccel_CoCeoTwoMember
         
Restricted Common Shares [Member] | 2012 Plan [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Share based compensation, percentage of vesting upon grant       33.33%ccel_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodPercentage
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ccel_TwoThousandTwelvePlanMember
   
Share based compensation vested period fair value       $ 160,000us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedInPeriodFairValue1
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ccel_TwoThousandTwelvePlanMember
   
Restricted Common Shares [Member] | 2012 Plan [Member] | December One Two Thousand Fourteen [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Share based compensation, percentage of vesting upon grant       33.33%ccel_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodPercentage
/ us-gaap_AwardDateAxis
= ccel_DecemberOneTwoThousandFourteenMember
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ccel_TwoThousandTwelvePlanMember
   
Restricted Common Shares [Member] | 2012 Plan [Member] | December One Two Thousand Fifteen [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Share based compensation, percentage of vesting upon grant       33.33%ccel_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodPercentage
/ us-gaap_AwardDateAxis
= ccel_DecemberOneTwoThousandFifteenMember
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ccel_TwoThousandTwelvePlanMember
   
Restricted Common Shares [Member] | 2012 Plan [Member] | David Portnoy [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Shares granted during period         70,270us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ccel_TwoThousandTwelvePlanMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= ccel_CoCeoOneMember
 
Restricted Common Shares [Member] | 2012 Plan [Member] | Mark Portnoy [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Shares granted during period         59,459us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ccel_TwoThousandTwelvePlanMember
/ us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis
= ccel_CoCeoTwoMember
 
Service Based Option [Member] | 2012 Plan [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Granted, Shares 400,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ccel_ServiceBasedOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ccel_TwoThousandTwelvePlanMember
    400,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ccel_ServiceBasedOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ccel_TwoThousandTwelvePlanMember
   
Service Based Restricted Shares [Member] | 2012 Plan [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Granted, Shares 129,729us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ccel_ServiceBasedRestrictedSharesMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ccel_TwoThousandTwelvePlanMember
    129,729us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ccel_ServiceBasedRestrictedSharesMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ccel_TwoThousandTwelvePlanMember
   
Performance Based Options [Member] | 2012 Plan [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Granted, Shares 116,240us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ccel_PerformanceBasedStockOptionsMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ccel_TwoThousandTwelvePlanMember
    58,120us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ccel_PerformanceBasedStockOptionsMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ccel_TwoThousandTwelvePlanMember
   
Market Based Options [Member] | 2012 Plan [Member]            
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]            
Granted, Shares 58,120us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ccel_MarketBasedStockOptionsMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ccel_TwoThousandTwelvePlanMember
    58,120us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= ccel_MarketBasedStockOptionsMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ccel_TwoThousandTwelvePlanMember