Differential Diagnosis for Brief Episode of Dizziness Several Days After Minor Head Injury

• Single Most Likely Diagnosis
  • Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): This condition is a common cause of dizziness following a head injury, even if minor. The brief episodes of dizziness are typically triggered by specific head movements, which aligns with the presentation after a head injury.
• Other Likely Diagnoses
  • Post-Concussive Syndrome: This condition can occur after a head injury and includes a variety of symptoms such as dizziness, headache, and difficulty concentrating. The dizziness in post-concussive syndrome can be persistent or episodic.
  • Post-Traumatic Migraine: Migraines can be triggered by head injuries and may include dizziness as part of their symptom complex, along with headache, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound.
  • Vestibular Concussion: Similar to post-concussive syndrome, a vestibular concussion specifically affects the balance system, leading to dizziness, imbalance, and sometimes nausea and vomiting.
• Do Not Miss Diagnoses
  • Subdural Hematoma or Epidural Hematoma: Although less common after minor head injuries, these conditions can present with delayed symptoms, including dizziness, due to increasing intracranial pressure. They are medical emergencies requiring immediate intervention.
  • Cervical Vertebral Artery Dissection: This is a rare but potentially catastrophic condition that can cause dizziness among other symptoms like neck pain and stroke. It's crucial to consider, especially if there's a history of neck manipulation or trauma.
• Rare Diagnoses
  • Perilymphatic Fistula: A condition where there's an abnormal connection between the inner and middle ear, leading to vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus. It can be caused by head trauma.
  • Superior Canal Dehiscence Syndrome: A rare condition of the inner ear that can cause vertigo, hearing loss, and autophony (hearing internal sounds unusually loudly), potentially triggered by head injury.