VMA (Vanillylmandelic Acid), 24-Hour or Random Urine
Order Name
VMA
Test Number: 3609850
Revision Date 12/09/2022
Test Number: 3609850
Revision Date 12/09/2022
| Test Name | Methodology | LOINC Code |
|---|---|---|
|
VMA (Vanillylmandelic Acid), 24-Hour or Random Urine
|
High Performance Liquid Chromatography |
| SPECIMEN REQUIREMENTS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specimen | Specimen Volume (min) | Specimen Type | Specimen Container | Transport Environment |
| Preferred | 4 mL aliquot (1 mL aliquot ) | Urine, 24-hour | 24 hour Urine Container | Room Temperature |
| Instructions | Notes: 1 mL aliquot (Note: This volume Does NOT allow for repeat testing). Specimen Type: Plastic urine container, no preservative (preferred), or acidic preservative Container Detail: No Preserv Specimen Storage: Vanillylmandelic acid is STABLE at room temperature unpreserved for seven days. Specimen Collection: Instruct the patient to void at 8 AM and discard the specimen. Then collect all urine including the final specimen voided at the end of the 24-hour collection period (ie, 8 AM the next morning). Measure and record total urine volume. Mix well; send aliquot. Label container with patient's name, date and time collection started, and date and time collection completed. Special Instructions: Record total 24-hour urine volume on the request form. Specimen Stability: Ambient: 7 days, Refrigerated : 14 days, Frozen: 14 days |
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| GENERAL INFORMATION | |
|---|---|
| Expected TAT | 3-4 Days |
| Clinical Use | Urinary vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) is the end product of catecholamine metabolism and reflects catecholamine production by chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla or by the sympathetic nervous system. Pheochromocytomas are rare tumors of the chromaffin cells located in or near the adrenal glands. These tumors are diagnosed on the basis of elevated levels of urinary metanephrines, urinary VMA, and plasma and/or urine catecholamines. Measurement of homovanillic acid (HVA) has little value in identifying patients with pheochromocytoma, but differentiates neuroblastoma. Neuroblastomas are malignant tumors of children, occurring usually before two years of age; both VMA and HVA levels help in diagnosing these tumors. Gangliomas are rare, benign, well-differentiated tumors in young adults and are associated with excess production of catecholamines and metabolites. |
| Performing Labcorp Test Code | 004143 |
| Notes | Labcorp Test Code: 004143 |
| CPT Code(s) | 84585 |
| Lab Section | Reference Lab |