title: Von hippel-lindau syndrome: diagnosis and management of hemangioblastoma and pheochromocytoma.
abstract: Introduction. Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome is a pathological condition that causes various clinical symptoms and is difficult to diagnose. The most common pathological lesions are hemangioblastomas of the central nervous system, retinal angiomas, renal clear cell carcinomas, and pheochromocytomas. Case Report. A 23-year-old female had a syncope episode in 2008. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a right temporal hemangioblastoma, which was treated surgically. Genetic screening identified a VHL gene mutation, and computed tomography (CT) revealed a left adrenal mass. Since it was unclear whether the mass was a pheochromocytoma, or another benign or malignant tumors, laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed. A month after surgery, the patient complained of general fatigue, poor concentration, loss of appetite, and insomnia. After careful clinical investigation, the patient was referred to a psychiatrist due to suspected depression, which was confirmed. Conclusions. VHL genetic screening should be performed in cases of hemangioblastoma. In VHL syndrome cases, pheochromocytoma cannot always be diagnosed by biochemical catecholamine analyses; therefore, CT or MRI scanning of the abdomen must be performed. Due to the long treatment period, some patients may develop episodes of depression, which can simulate VHL syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Urology, Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital, Pilsonu Street 13, Riga Latvia, LV-1002, Latvia.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vaganovs
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bokums
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Miklaševics
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Plonis
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zarina
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Geldners
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gardovskis
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vjaters