Mayo Test Catalog, (Sorted By Test Name) - Mayo Medical ...

HVAR
60275
HUNY
82373
Medical. Edited by N Blau, M Duran, ME Blaskovics. London, UK. 1996, pp 79-98 2. Hyland K:
Presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of the disorders of monoamine neurotransmitter metabolism. Sem
Perinatol 1999;23:194-203 3. Strenger V, Kerbl R, Dornbusch HJ, et al: Diagnostic and prognostic
impact of urinary catecholamines in neuroblastoma patients. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;48:504-509
Homovanillic Acid (HVA), Random, Urine
Clinical Information: Homovanillic acid (HVA) and other catecholamine metabolites
(vanillylmandelic acid [VMA] and dopamine) are typically elevated in patients with
catecholamine-secreting tumors (eg, neuroblastoma, pheochromocytoma, and other neural crest tumors).
HVA and VMA levels may also be useful in monitoring patients who have been treated as a result of the
above-mentioned tumors. HVA levels may also be altered in disorders of catecholamine metabolism;
monamine oxidase-A deficiency can cause decreased urinary HVA values, while a deficiency of
dopamine beta-hydrolase (the enzyme that converts dopamine to norepinephrine) can cause elevated
urinary HVA values.
Useful For: Screening children for catecholamine-secreting tumors Monitoring neuroblastoma
treatment Screening patients with possible inborn errors of catecholamine metabolism
Interpretation: Vanillylmandelic acid and/or homovanillic acid (HVA) concentrations are elevated in
over 90% of patients with neuroblastoma; both tests should be performed. A positive test could be due to
a genetic or nongenetic condition. Additional confirmatory testing is required. A normal result does not
exclude the presence of a catecholamine-secreting tumor. Elevated HVA values are suggestive of a
deficiency of dopamine beta-hydrolase, a neuroblastoma, a pheochromocytoma, or may reflect
administration of L-dopa. Decreased urinary HVA values may suggest monamine oxidase-A deficiency.
Reference Values: