Anaesthetic Management of a Patient with Von-Hippel-Lindau Syndrome: A Conglomeration of Perplexities
Authors: Podder Suvajit 
Published: February 2023

Von-Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome is an autosomal dominant disease with multisystem involvement. Tumours associated with VHL include, hemangioblastomas of the spine and brain, retinal capillary hemangioblastomas, renal cell carcinoma, pheochromocytoma, and neuroendocrine tumours of pancreas. We present a case of a 54 year old female second-degree uterovaginal prolapse scheduled for laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy. She was diagnosed with adult polycystic kidney disease, pheochromocytoma, parathyroid adenoma, vertebral hemangioma and multiple renal and hepatic cysts. Though genetic testing was not feasible, the co-existing systemic manifestations in this patient were strongly suggestive of Von Hippel Lindau syndrome. Owing to the multi-morbidities, central neuraxial block was deemed appropriate as opposed to general anaesthesia. In concert with the surgeons, it was decided to change the surgical plan to vaginal hysterectomy and avoid adrenaline infiltration at the surgical site, as it is known to precipitate arrythmias. We placed an intra-arterial catheter for continuous blood pressure monitoring before administration of the subarachnoid block and co-loaded the patient with fluids to avoid any drastic hypotension. The patient remained hemodynamically stable throughout the procedure, which could be attributed to extensive pre-operative work-up multi-disciplinary pre-operative optimization and synergistic management with surgical team. Providing anaesthesia to patients with multisystem involvement such as Von Hippel Lindau syndrome can be very challenging. Meticulous pre-anaesthetic evaluation and pre-operative optimization are often crucial. A multidisciplinary approach is often employed to achieve the best possible pre-operative functional status of these patients. Well-coordinated team with flexibility in management tailored to the patient helps achieve the best possible outcomes. Disclaimer: Informed consent was obtained from the patient prior to publication Main Points • Von-Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome is an autosomal dominant disease with multisystem involvement; associated tumours include hemangioblastomas of the CNS, retinal capillary hemangioblastomas, renal cell carcinoma, pheochromocytoma, endolymphatic sac tumours of the middle ear, serous cystadenomas and neuroendocrine tumours of pancreas. • Providing anaesthesia to patients with multisystem involvement such as Von Hippel Lindau syndrome can be very challenging. Meticulous pre-anaesthetic evaluation and pre-operative optimization are often crucial. • A detailed anaesthetic plan, tailored to each patient, has to be formulated in elective cases, after an extensive work-up of the associated tumours. • Extensive pre-operative work-up, a multi-disciplinary approach towards pre-operative optimization and synergistic management with surgical team remains vital in minimizing peri-operative complications. • Anaesthetic implications are often at the nexus of surgical outcomes, hence, proper communication with the surgical team and arrival at a joint plan is crucial.