| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z # |
Vanillylmandelic Acid, Urine, 24-hour
MessageSendout, Mayo test code: VMA
Test Code
Lab452
Alias/See Also
Vanillylmandelic Acid
3-Methoxy-4-Hydroxymandelic Acid
4-Hydroxy-3-Methoxymandelic Acid
VMA
Neuroblastoma Profile
3-Methoxy-4-Hydroxymandelic Acid
4-Hydroxy-3-Methoxymandelic Acid
VMA
Neuroblastoma Profile
CPT Codes
84585
Preferred Specimen
5 mL from a 24-hour urine collected in 25 ml 50% acetic acid as a preservative at the start of collection.
Patient Preparation
Administration of L-dopa may falsely-increase vanillylmandelic acid results; it should be discontinued 24 hours prior to and during specimen collection.
Minimum Volume
2 mL
Other Acceptable Specimens
URINE PRESERVATIVE COLLECTION OPTIONS
Note: For addition of preservative or application of temperature information, see Specimen Required.
| Ambient | No |
| Refrigerate | No |
| Frozen | No |
| 50% Acetic Acid | Preferred |
| Boric Acid | OK |
| Diazolidinyl Urea | No |
| 6M Hydrochloric Acid | OK |
| 6M Nitric Acid | OK |
| Sodium Carbonate | No |
| Thymol | No |
| Toluene | No |
| *If boric acid is used, note on specimen container. Also, verify that pH is in desired range (pH=1-5). If pH is outside of desired range, adjust pH with a stronger acid (acetic acid is preferred but other acids listed above could be used if available) in a dropwise fashion to bring pH into desired range. | |
Instructions
1. Collect a 24-hour urine specimen.
2. Add 25 mL of 50% acetic acid as preservative at the start of collection. If specimen is refrigerated during collection, preservative may be added up to 12 hours after collection. Use 15 mL of 50% acetic acid for children <5 years old. This preservative is intended to achieve a pH of between approximately 1 and 5. If necessary, adjust urine pH to a level between 1 and 5 by adding 50% acetic acid or hydrochloric acid dropwise and checking the pH.
2. Add 25 mL of 50% acetic acid as preservative at the start of collection. If specimen is refrigerated during collection, preservative may be added up to 12 hours after collection. Use 15 mL of 50% acetic acid for children <5 years old. This preservative is intended to achieve a pH of between approximately 1 and 5. If necessary, adjust urine pH to a level between 1 and 5 by adding 50% acetic acid or hydrochloric acid dropwise and checking the pH.
Transport Container
Urine Tubes, 10 mL (T068)
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated
Specimen Stability
Refrigerated (preferred): 28 days
Frozen: 180 days
Frozen: 180 days
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
All specimens will be evaluated at Mayo Clinic Laboratories for test suitability.
Methodology
Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
FDA Status
Approved
Setup Schedule
Monday through Friday
Report Available
3-5 days
Limitations
Values are more commonly elevated during a hypertensive episode.
Values may be normal in some individuals with pheochromocytoma.
All patients taking Bactrim should be identified to the laboratory when vanillylmandelic acid and homovanillic acid tests are ordered due to potential interference.
Values may be normal in some individuals with pheochromocytoma.
All patients taking Bactrim should be identified to the laboratory when vanillylmandelic acid and homovanillic acid tests are ordered due to potential interference.
Reference Range
Included with report
Clinical Significance
Screening children for catecholamine-secreting tumors using a 24-hour urine collection when requesting testing for vanillylmandelic acidonly
Supporting a diagnosis of neuroblastoma
Monitoring patients with a treated neuroblastoma
Supporting a diagnosis of neuroblastoma
Monitoring patients with a treated neuroblastoma
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories, Rochester, Minnesota
Additional Information
Vanillylmandelic Acid, 24 Hour, Urine
