Unit Code 9454:
Vanillylmandelic Acid (VMA), Urine
Useful For 
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Screening for catecholamine-secreting tumors in children when
accompanied by homovanillic acid (HVA)
Supporting a diagnosis of neuroblastoma
Monitoring neuroblastoma treatment
In the past, this test has been used to screen for pheochrome-
cytoma. However, VMA is not the analyte of choice to rule out a
diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. Recommended tests for this
purpose are #81609 "Metanephrines, Fractionated, Free, Plasmaâ€
(p. 540), #83006 "Metanephrines, Fractionated, 24-Hour, Urineâ€
(p. 541), and #9276 "Catecholamine Fractionation, Urinary, Freeâ€
(p. 155).
Special Instructions and Forms Describes specimen collection and preparation information, test algorithms, and other information pertinent to test. Also includes pertinent information and consent forms to be used when requesting a particular test
Method Name A short description of the method used to perform the test
Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry
(LC-MS/MS) Stable Isotope Dilution Analysis
For children 14 years of age and younger, #9254
"Vanillylmandelic Acid (VMA) and Homovanillic Acid,
(HVA), Pediatric, Urine" is the recommended test.
Reporting Name A shorter/abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test; an abbreviated test name
Vanillylmandelic Acid (VMA), U
Ordering Mnemonic An alternate Mayo code (to the Unit Code) for a test
VMA
Aliases Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching
3-methoxy-4-hydroxymandelic acid
4-hydroxy-3-methoxymandelic acid
Neuroblastoma Profile (See Q & A Section of MayoAccess)
Soft-VMA
Vanilmandelic acid
VMA, Urine
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