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HelpTest ID NBLD0083 Vanillylmandelic Acid, 24 Hour, Urine
Useful For
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
Specimen Type
UrineOrdering 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 that purpose include:
-PMET / Metanephrines, Fractionated, Free, Plasma
-METAF / Metanephrines, Fractionated, 24 Hour, Urine
-CATU / Catecholamine Fractionation, Free, 24 Hour, Urine
Necessary Information
1. Patients age is required.
2. Collection duration (in hours) and urine volume (in milliliters) are required.
3. All patients receiving L-dopa should be identified to the laboratory when this test is ordered.
4. 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 and during 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. 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 younger than 5 years. This preservative is intended to achieve a pH of between approximately 1 and 5.
2. Collect a 24-hour urine specimen.
3. 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.
Additional Information: For multiple collections see Urine Preservatives-Collection and Transportation for 24-Hour Urine Specimens.
If preservative is not available at your facility, the specimen should be kept refrigerated during collection and an aliquot should be submitted frozen to Sanford Laboratories in Sioux Falls.
Specimen must be frozen within 4 hours of completion of the collection.
Record the total volume on the specimen and/or requisition if applicable.
24-Hour Urine Collection Instructions English
24-Hour Urine Collection Instructions Spanish
Reject Due To
All specimens will be evaluated at Mayo Clinic Laboratories for test suitability.Specimen Minimum Volume
2 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urine | Refrigerated (preferred) | 28 days | |
| Frozen | 180 days |
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Report Available
3 to 5 daysMethod Name
Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
CPT Code Information
84585
Reporting Name
Vanillylmandelic Acid, 24 Hr, UReference 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): <8.0 mg/24 hours
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.Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send an Oncology Test Request (T729) with the specimen.
Special Instructions
Secondary ID
9454SANFORD LABORATORY INTERFACE BUILD INFORMATION
| Result Code | Result Code Description |
|---|---|
| 17626 | VMA, Adult |
| 17627 | VMA, Child (<15Yr) |
| 17628 | Collection Duration |
| 17629 | Urine Volume |