Differential Diagnosis for Vertigo with Vomiting Lasting Hours
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): This condition is characterized by brief, intense episodes of vertigo triggered by specific head movements, lasting from seconds to minutes but can recur over hours. The association with vomiting is common due to the intense vertigo experienced.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Vestibular Neuritis (Labyrinthitis): Inflammation of the inner ear can cause severe vertigo, often accompanied by nausea and vomiting, lasting from days to weeks. The symptoms can fluctuate over hours.
- Meniere's Disease: This disorder of the inner ear involves episodes of vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear fullness. Episodes can last from minutes to hours, and vomiting may occur due to severe vertigo.
- Migraine-associated Vertigo: Some individuals experience vertigo as part of their migraine syndrome, which can last from minutes to hours and may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Posterior Circulation Stroke: Although less common, a stroke in the posterior circulation can present with vertigo, nausea, vomiting, and other neurological deficits. It's critical to rule out this condition due to its severe implications and the need for urgent treatment.
- Brainstem or Cerebellar Hemorrhage: Bleeding in these areas can cause sudden onset of vertigo, vomiting, and potentially life-threatening complications if not promptly addressed.
Rare Diagnoses
- Multiple Sclerosis: In rare cases, multiple sclerosis can present with vertigo as an initial symptom, especially if there are lesions in the brainstem or cerebellum.
- Acoustic Neuroma: A benign tumor on the nerve connecting the inner ear to the brain can cause vertigo, among other symptoms like hearing loss and tinnitus, though it typically progresses slowly over time.
- Perilymphatic Fistula: An abnormal connection between the inner and middle ear can lead to vertigo and nausea, often triggered by changes in pressure, though this is relatively rare.