De novo VHL germline mutation detected in a patient with mild clinical phenotype of von Hippel-Lindau disease

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is an autosomal dominant multiorgan tumor syndrome caused by a germline mutation in the VHL gene. Characteristic tumors include CNS hemangioblastomas (HBs), endolymphatic sac tumors, renal cell carcinomas, pheochromocytomas, and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Sporadic VHL disease with a de novo germline mutation is rare. The authors describe a case of multiple CNS HBs in a patient with a heterozygous de novo germline mutation at c.239G>T [p.S80I] of VHL. This is the first known case of a sporadic de novo germline mutation of VHL at c.239G>T. Clinicians should continue to consider VHL disease in patients presenting with sporadic CNS HBs, including those without a family history, to confirm or exclude additional VHL-associated visceral lesions.