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Test Code LAB750 Vanillylmandelic Acid, Random, Urine

Additional Codes

VMAR

 

Reporting Name

Vanillylmandelic Acid, Random, U

Useful For

Screening children for catecholamine-secreting tumors using a random urine collection when requesting vanillylmandelic acid only

 

Supporting a diagnosis of neuroblastoma

 

Monitoring patients with a treated neuroblastoma

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Specimen Type

Urine


Ordering Guidance


In the past, this test has been used to screen for pheochromocytoma. However, vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) is not the analyte of choice to rule out a diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. Recommended tests for this purpose are:

-PMET / Metanephrines, Fractionated, Free, Plasma

-METAF / Metanephrines, Fractionated, 24 Hour, Urine

-CATU / Catecholamine Fractionation, Free, 24 Hour, Urine



Necessary Information


1. Patient's age is required.

2. All patients receiving L-dopa should be identified to the laboratory when this test is ordered.

3. Bactrim may interfere with detection of the analyte. All patients taking Bactrim should be identified to the laboratory when this test is ordered.



Specimen Required


Patient Preparation: Administration of L-dopa may falsely increase vanillylmandelic acid results; it should be discontinued 24 hours prior to specimen collection.

Supplies: Urine Tubes, 10 mL (T068)

Collection Container/Tube: Clean, plastic urine collection container

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic, 10-mL urine tube

Specimen Volume: 5 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Collect a random urine specimen.

2. Adjust the random urine pH to a level between 1 and 5 by adding 50% acetic acid or hydrochloric acid dropwise and checking the pH.


Specimen Minimum Volume

2 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Urine Refrigerated (preferred) 28 days
  Frozen  180 days

Reference Values

<1 year: <25.0 mg/g creatinine

1 year: <22.5 mg/g creatinine

2-4 years: <16.0 mg/g creatinine

5-9 years: <12.0 mg/g creatinine

10-14 years: <8.0 mg/g creatinine

≥15 years (adults): <7.0 mg/g creatinine

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

84585

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
VMAR Vanillylmandelic Acid, Random, U 3124-5

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
60274 Vanillylmandelic Acid, Random, U 3124-5

Report Available

3 to 5 days

Method Name

Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send an Oncology Test Request (T729) with the specimen.