The development of a catechol enzyme electrode and its possible use for the diagnosis and monitoring of neural crest tumours.

A catechol enzyme electrode is described, in which a Clark-type oxygen electrode is coupled to immobilised polyphenol oxidase in albumin cross linked with glutaraldehyde on a dialysis membrane. Electrode calibration, response time, pH response profile, stability, detection limit and selectivity are evaluated and the feasibility of using the electrode for the measurement of catecholamines in the urine of patients with neural crest tumours is assessed.