VMA (Vanillylmandelic Acid), 24-Hour Urine without Creatinine

Test Code

934X

CPT Codes
84585

Includes

CPT code 81050 may be added at an additional charge for volume measurement

Preferred Specimen

10 mL aliquot from a 24-hour urine preserved with 25 mL 6N HCl, collected in a plastic, 24-hour urine container

Patient Preparation
It is preferable for the patient to be off medications for three days prior to collection. However common antihypertensives (diuretics, ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, alpha and beta blockers) cause minimal or no interference. Patient should avoid alcohol, coffee, tea, tobacco (including use of nicotine patch), bananas, citrus fruits and strenuous exercise prior to collection.

Minimum Volume

5 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Aliquot from a 24-hour urine, unpreserved, with a pH ≤6, collected in a plastic, 24-hour urine container

Instructions

Collect 24-hour urine with 25 mL 6N HCL to maintain a pH < or = 3. If no preservative is used, specimen must be stored refrigerated during collection but shipped frozen and pH must be < or = 6. Record 24-hour urine volume and patient's age on test request form and on urine container.

Transport Temperature

Preserved urine: Room temperature
Unpreserved urine: Frozen

Specimen Stability

Preserved urine:
Room temperature: 10 days
Refrigerated: 14 days
Frozen: 1 year

Unpreserved urine:
Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: Unacceptable
Frozen: 30 days

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Preserved urine received refrigerated with pH >3 • Unpreserved urine received frozen with pH >6

Methodology
High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) • Electrochemical Detection

FDA Status
This test was developed and its analytical performance characteristics have been determined by Quest Diagnostics. It has not been cleared or approved by FDA. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.

Setup Schedule

Set up: Sun-Fri; Report Available: 2-6 days

Clinical Significance

Vanillylmandelic Acid (VMA) is the major urinary project resulting from the metabolic degradation of catecholamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine. Elevated concentrations of VMA are commonly found in cases of catecholamine secreting tumors such as pheochromocytoma, neuroblastoma, and ganglioneuroma.
Drugs which can interfere with testing due to physiologic response: clonidine, L-dopa, methocarbamol, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, reserpine, salicylates.

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.