Diagnose pheochromocytoma, VMA is of value for evaluation of hypertension, diagnose and follow up neuroblastoma, ganglioneuroma, and ganglioneuroblastoma. Most neuroblastoma patients excrete excess HVA in 24-hour collections. If VMA and HVA are both used in work-up, up to 80% of all cases will be detected.
Specimen Type
Urine
Container
24hr Ur No Preserv
Collection Instructions
Container/Tube: 24 Hr Urine Container No preservative Specimen: Send entire container or 4mL well mixed aliquot- Indicate TV on the cup or tube. Transport Temperature: Refrigerated Stability: 7 Days Room Temperature 14 Days Refrigerated or Frozen Patient Preparation: Patient should avoid salicylates, caffeine, phenothiazine, and antihypertension agents. Also coffee, tea, chocolate, fruit (especially bananas and any vanilla containing substances for 72 hours prior to collection). 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).
Transport Instructions
Refrigerated
Specimen Stability
7 Days Room Temperature 14 Days Refrigerated or Frozen Patient Preparation: Patient should avoid salicylates, caffeine, phenothiazine, and antihypertension agents. Also coffee, tea, chocolate, fruit (especially bananas and any van
Methodology
Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS)
