Differential Diagnosis for Dizziness in a 9-Year-Old
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Benign Paroxysmal Vertigo (BPV): This condition is common in children and is characterized by brief, episodic vertigo spells, often triggered by specific head movements. It's usually self-limiting and has a good prognosis.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Viral Labyrinthitis: An inner ear infection that can cause dizziness, vertigo, and balance problems. It often follows a viral upper respiratory infection.
- Vasovagal Syncope: A common cause of fainting spells in children, often triggered by stress, pain, or prolonged standing. Dizziness may precede the fainting episode.
- Migraine-Associated Vertigo: Some children with migraines can experience vertigo as part of their migraine syndrome.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Brain Tumor: Although rare, brain tumors can cause dizziness due to increased intracranial pressure or direct compression of the brainstem or cerebellum.
- Multiple Sclerosis: A demyelinating disease that can present with a wide range of neurological symptoms, including dizziness and vertigo, especially in the context of other neurological deficits.
- Posterior Circulation Stroke: Although extremely rare in children, a stroke in the posterior circulation can cause sudden onset of dizziness, vertigo, and other neurological symptoms.
Rare Diagnoses
- Meniere's Disease: A disorder of the inner ear that affects balance and hearing, more commonly seen in adults but can rarely occur in children.
- Chiari Malformation: A structural defect in the cerebellum that can cause dizziness, vertigo, and other neurological symptoms due to compression of the brainstem and cerebellum.
- Inner Ear Dysplasias: Congenital abnormalities of the inner ear that can cause balance problems and dizziness.