Differential Diagnosis for New Onset Strabismus in a 9-Year-Old with Headache
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Acquired Non-Acute Concomitant Esotropia: This condition is a common cause of new onset strabismus in children, often presenting with esotropia (inward turning of the eyes) and can be associated with headaches due to eye strain. It's a refractive error that can develop in children around this age.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Refractive Error: Uncorrected refractive errors such as hyperopia (farsightedness), myopia (nearsightedness), or astigmatism can cause eye strain leading to headaches and potentially strabismus.
- Convergence Insufficiency: A condition where the eyes have difficulty converging or working together, which can cause eye strain, headaches, and sometimes strabismus.
- Amblyopia: Although typically identified earlier, amblyopia (lazy eye) can sometimes present later in childhood and may be associated with strabismus and headaches due to vision problems.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Brain Tumor: Although rare, brain tumors such as medulloblastoma or craniopharyngioma can cause increased intracranial pressure leading to headaches and new onset strabismus due to cranial nerve palsies.
- Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH): Also known as pseudotumor cerebri, this condition can cause increased intracranial pressure, leading to headaches and, occasionally, sixth nerve palsy resulting in strabismus.
- Stroke: Pediatric stroke, though uncommon, can present with sudden onset of strabismus and headache among other neurological deficits.
Rare Diagnoses
- Graves' Disease: Thyroid eye disease associated with Graves' disease can cause strabismus due to orbital inflammation and muscle involvement, but it's less common in children.
- Myasthenia Gravis: An autoimmune disorder that can cause fluctuating muscle weakness, including the muscles controlling eye movements, leading to strabismus and potentially headaches.
- Orbital Cellulitis or Abscess: Infections in the orbit can cause proptosis, pain, and strabismus, but these are usually accompanied by significant orbital swelling and redness.