Differential Diagnosis for Cervical Spinal Narrowing and Dizziness

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

• Cervical Spondylosis: This condition is characterized by wear and tear on the discs in the neck, which can lead to cervical spinal narrowing. It is a common cause of dizziness due to the compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots, affecting balance and equilibrium.

Other Likely Diagnoses

• Cervical Disc Herniation: Herniation of the cervical discs can cause narrowing of the spinal canal and compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots, leading to dizziness, among other symptoms.
• Spinal Stenosis: This condition involves the narrowing of the spinal canal, which can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, causing dizziness, pain, and other neurological symptoms.
• Degenerative Disc Disease: Similar to cervical spondylosis, degenerative disc disease can lead to spinal narrowing and symptoms such as dizziness due to the compression of nerve roots or the spinal cord.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

• Vertebral Artery Dissection or Stroke: Although less common, vertebral artery dissection can cause dizziness and is a potentially life-threatening condition if not promptly diagnosed and treated.
• Multiple Sclerosis: An autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, multiple sclerosis can cause a wide range of neurological symptoms, including dizziness, and requires early diagnosis for effective management.
• Spinal Cord Tumor: Tumors in the spinal cord can cause narrowing and compression, leading to dizziness and other severe neurological symptoms, making prompt diagnosis critical.

Rare Diagnoses

• Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: A group of disorders that affect connective tissues supporting the skin, bones, blood vessels, and many other organs and tissues, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome can lead to spinal instability and narrowing, though it is less common.
• Achondroplasia: The most common form of short-limbed dwarfism, achondroplasia can involve spinal narrowing and other neurological complications, including dizziness, though it is rare and typically diagnosed early in life.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis: While more commonly associated with joint inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis can also affect the cervical spine, leading to narrowing and neurological symptoms like dizziness, though this is less common than other manifestations of the disease.