Von Hippel-Lindau Disease-Associated Endolymphatic Sac Tumours: Seven Cases and Genotype-Phenotype Features

Von Hippel-Lindau disease-associated endolymphatic sac tumors (VHL-associated ELSTs) present diagnostic challenges due to their rarity and nonspecific symptoms. This study describes clinical, pathological and genotypic features to guide treatment. We retrospectively analyzed seven patients with VHL-associated ELSTs. The mean age of otologic symptom [hearing loss (100%) and facial nerve paralysis (85.71%)] onset was 22.43 ± 8.68 years (range: 10-33). Surgical management included trans-labyrinthine and subtotal temporal bone resection approaches. Among three patients with severe preoperative facial nerve dysfunction, two underwent great auricular nerve grafting improved to House-Brackmann grade IV, while one receiving hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis reached grade V. Genetic testing identified pathogenic VHL gene missense mutations in three patients. Two female patients demonstrated disease progression during pregnancy. Literature analysis revealed exon-specific patterns: Exon 1 mutations correlated with cerebellar/spinal hemangioblastomas in female patients, while Exon 3 mutations were associated with multisystem tumors. These findings support that VHL-associated ELSTs manifest early with otologic symptoms and demonstrate exon-specific phenotypic patterns. Optimal management requires complete surgical resection, genetic diagnosis, and a multidisciplinary approach to address these complex tumors and achieve favorable outcomes.