Vanillymandelic Acid, Urine

Diagnostic Use

Vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) and other catecholamine metabolites (and dopamine) are typically elevated in patients with catecholamine-secreting tumors (e.g., neuroblastoma, pheochromocytoma, and other neural crest tumors). VMA and Dopamine levels may also be useful in monitoring patients who have been treated as a result of one of the above-mentioned tumors.

Department

Lipids/Trace Metals

Delphic Registration Code

CATU

Laboratory Handling

Registration

Send to separating if ambient on arrival. Send to lipids/trace metals if frozen on arrival.

Separating

Make aliquot for UCRN. Send primary sample to lipids/trace metals.

Test Adds

Refrigerated (preferred) 28 days, frozen 180days

Synonyms

3-methoxy-4-hydroxymandelic acid
HMMA
Hydroxy-methoxy-mandelic acid
VMA

Turnaround Time

14 days

Test Code

3464

Specimen Type

• Urine

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Pottle

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

5

No of Samples Required

1

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Pottle

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

5

Additional Specimen Information

Pre-testing requirement - Avoid vanilla containing foods for 3 days.
5 mL urine (laboratory to pH 1.5 - 3.5 on receipt). Notify Specialist Lab on receipt, if marked urgent.
Children - random or 6 hour urine.

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Urine

Transport to Lab

Chilled (2 - 8 degrees Celsius)

Interpretation

Homovanillic acid (HVA) and vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) concentrations are elevated in more than 90% of patients with neuroblastoma. A positive test could be due to a genetic or nongenetic condition. Additional confirmatory testing is required.
A normal result does not exclude the presence of a catecholamine-secreting tumour.
Elevated HVA and VMA values are suggestive of a pheochromocytoma, but they are not diagnostic.

Cautions
Administration of L-dopa may falsely increase vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) results. Patients receiving L-dopa should stop taking it for 24 hours before the collection.

All patients receiving L-dopa should be identified to the laboratory when VMA tests are ordered.

Reference Intervals

Test Method

Solvent extraction, reacted with colour reagent

Non-Funded Test Cost

$52.52 (Exclusive of GST)

Billing Code

3464

Additional Costing Information

VMA is assayed on samples only from children, when a diagnosis of pheochromocytoma and neuroblastoma is suspected.

Batched weekly - urgent testing by arrangement.

Contact Information

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Contact Information

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