Thin layer chromatographic screening test for urinary 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylene glycol; results from cases of secreting neuroblastoma.

A thin layer chromatographic screening test is reported for the determination of urinary 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylene glycol. The concentration in any sample is estimated by visual comparison with a range of 10 standards of different concentrations. The urines of five children with positively diagnosed hormonally active neuroblastoma showed values of 19.0-32.4 mg 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylene glycol/g creatinine, whereas control urines contained only 0.4-1.7 mg/g creatinine.