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DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-981458
© J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG · Stuttgart · New York
Liquid Chromatography Tandem-mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) - Technique and Applications in Endocrinology
Publication History
received 21.09.2006
first decision 12.04.2007
accepted 02.05.2007
Publication Date:
18 October 2007 (online)
Abstract
In recent years, liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has emerged as an innovative analytical technology applicable to a wide number of analyses in the endocrinology laboratory. Compared to the “traditional” technique of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), LC-MS/MS is easier to use and is applicable for a substantially larger number of relevant analytes. With the development of LC-MS/MS, the widespread application of the proven principle of isotope dilution mass spectrometry is now feasible not only in research but also for routine applications. The aim of this review is to explain the basic technical principles of LC-MS/MS, to describe the general characteristics of analytical LC-MS/MS applications and to comprehensively discuss the application of this technology in the field of endocrinology.
Key words
liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) - endocrinology
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Correspondence
M. VogeserMD
Institute of Clinical Chemistry
Hospital of the University of Munich
Marchioninistr. 15
81377 Munich
Germany
Phone: +49/89/7095 32 21
Fax: +49/89/7095 32 40
Email: Michael.Vogeser@med.uni-muenchen.de