Homovanillic Acid (HVA), Random Urine

Also known as: HVA, Random Urine

Clinical Use

Order Test

Use

Diagnose neuroblastoma, ganglioneuroblastoma, and pheochromocytoma; follow course of tumor treatment

Special Instructions

Not provided.

Limitations

The test has been developed by LabCorp and its performance characteristics have been determined but it has not been cleared or approved by the FDA. Excretion of HVA may be intermittent and approximately 20% of neuroblastoma cases may not show increased levels of VMA. Hence, results should be interpreted within the clinical context and potentially with additional confirmatory testing.

Test Details

Methodology

Mass Spectrometry

Biomarkers

creatinine

Analyte

Creatinine

Concentration / Level • Quantitative (Continuous) (e.g., copies/mL, % expression)

HVA concentration

Analyte

HVA concentration

Concentration / Level • Quantitative (Continuous) (e.g., copies/mL, % expression)

HVA:creatinine ratio

Analyte

HVA:creatinine ratio

Concentration / Level • Quantitative (Continuous) (e.g., copies/mL, % expression)

LOINC Codes

Order Codes

11144-3 - HVA Ur-mCnc
11146-8 - HVA/Creat Ur
2161-8 - Creat Ur-mCnc

Result Codes

2161-8 - Creat Ur-mCnc
11144-3 - HVA Ur-mCnc
11146-8 - HVA/Creat Ur

Result Turnaround Time

4-7 days

Specimen

Urine

Volume

10 mL aliquot

Minimum Volume

4 mL aliquot

Container

Plastic urine container (6N HCl is optional)

Collection Instructions

Label container with patient's name and date.

Patient Preparation

Patient should avoid aspirin, disulfiram, reserpine, and pyridoxine, if possible at least 48 hours prior to collection of the specimen. Levodopa should be avoided for two weeks before collection.