VMA (HPLC)
Sample: Urine 24 hrs in 6N HCl. Patient should avoid ingestion of tea, coffee, bananas, ice creams and certain medicines a few days before the sample collection .
Schedule: Three Days (HPLC ECD)
Units: mg/24hr
Range: Up to 6,2 (HPLC)
Remarks: VMA (Vanillylmandelic acid) is the major metabolite of epinephrine and norepinephrine. VMA is highly increased during overproduction of catacholamines and in pheochromocytoma. HVA, the major final metabolite of the dopamine pathway and VMA, the major final metabolite of the norepinephrine pathway (Catecholamines and Metanephrines)are often excreted in excess amounts by neuroblastomas, ganglioneuroblastomas, pheochromocytomas, and in Riley-Day syndrome. Excretion may be intermittent. Plasma HVA is increased in schizotypal personality disorders. Approximately 20% of subjects with neuroblastoma do not have increased VMA. Clinical Strategy with HPLC-ECD
