ISSN 2412-4036 (print)
ISSN 2713-1823 (online)

Von Hippel – Lindau syndrome: A case report reminding the necessity for pheochromocytoma detection in patients with arterial hypertension

R.M. Gabibullaev, A.A. Udagova, P.S. Akhmedova, L.V. Saveleva, S.A. Ibragimova

Endocrinology Research Centre, Moscow, Russian Federation
Abstract. Von Hippel – Lindau syndrome (VHL) is a rare, autosomal dominant inherited disorder caused by a mutation in the VHL tumor suppressor gene and characterized by the development of multiple tumors in various organs and systems. Current article presents a clinical case of a 49-year-old patient with a verified pathogenic mutation of VHL gene. His initial clinical manifestations were acute arterial hypertension with the classic autonomic triad (headache, palpitations, and profuse sweating), necessitating a comprehensive diagnostic search. His examination revealed a combination of pheochromocytomas in both adrenal glands, cerebroretinal hemangiomatosis, and a neuroendocrine tumor of the pancreatic body, leading to the suspicion and subsequent molecular genetic confirmation of VHL syndrome. This observation highlights the importance of targeted screening for catecholamine-producing tumors in young and middle-aged patients with unexplained hypertension, a personalized multidisciplinary approach, and cascade genetic counseling for first-degree relatives of them.

Keywords

von Hippel – Lindau syndrome
pheochromocytoma
arterial hypertension
metanephrines
screening
angiogenesis
adrenalectomy

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About the Authors

Ramazan M. Gabibullaev, MD, clinical resident of Endocrinology Research Centre, Moscow, Russian Federation.
E-mail: Ramazan.gab79@mail.ru
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-4725-8307. eLibrary SPIN: 3002-5904
Aishat A. Udagova, MD, clinical resident of Endocrinology Research Centre, Moscow, Russian Federation.
E-mail:udagova79@gmail.com
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2171-7106
Pinara S. Akhmedova, MD, clinical resident of Endocrinology Research Centre, Moscow, Russian Federation.
E-mail: pinaraakh2002@mail.ru
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1220-0921
Larisa V. Saveleva, MD, PhD (Medicine), head of the Department of endocrinopathies therapy, Endocrinology Research Centre, Moscow, Russian Federation.
E-mail: slv63@mail.ru
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2808-4846. eLibrary SPIN: 1452-8793
Saida A. Ibragimova, MD, endocrinologist at Endocrinology Research Centre, Moscow, Russian Federation.
E-mail: Ibragimova.Saida@endocrincentr.ru
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4780-8327

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