Differential Diagnosis for Vertigo, Vomiting, and Right Temporal Region Pain
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): This condition is characterized by brief, intense episodes of vertigo triggered by specific head movements, often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The temporal region pain could be referred pain or tension headache related to the vertigo.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Migraine-associated Vertigo: Migraines can cause vertigo, and the pain in the right temporal region could be a migraine headache. Vomiting is also a common symptom associated with migraines.
- Labyrinthitis: An inner ear disorder that can cause vertigo, vomiting, and ear pain. The temporal region pain could be related to the ear pain.
- Vestibular Neuritis: Inflammation of the vestibular nerve can cause vertigo, vomiting, and sometimes headache or temporal region pain due to the proximity of the nerve to the temporal region.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Although less common, vertigo can be a symptom of a stroke or TIA, especially if accompanied by other neurological deficits. The temporal region pain could be a headache associated with the stroke.
- Temporal Arteritis: This condition involves inflammation of the blood vessels in the temples and can cause headache, jaw pain, and visual disturbances. While vertigo is not a primary symptom, it could be associated with the condition due to the proximity of the affected vessels to the inner ear structures.
- Meniere's Disease: A disorder of the inner ear that can cause vertigo, tinnitus, hearing loss, and a feeling of fullness in the ear. The temporal region pain could be related to the ear fullness or tinnitus.
Rare Diagnoses
- Acoustic Neuroma: A benign tumor on the nerve connecting the inner ear to the brain, which can cause vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The temporal region pain could be related to the tumor pressing on nearby structures.
- Multiple Sclerosis: A chronic disease that affects the central nervous system, which can cause vertigo, among other neurological symptoms. The temporal region pain could be a headache associated with an MS relapse.
- Temporal Lobe Seizures: Seizures originating in the temporal lobe can cause a variety of symptoms, including vertigo, vomiting, and temporal region pain, although these are less common presentations.