Differential Diagnosis for 77 Year Old Female with Clicking Sound in Left Ear
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder: The clicking sound when biting and chewing is a classic symptom of TMJ disorder, which is a common condition that affects the joint that connects the jawbone to the skull. The absence of pain, dizziness, and trauma history also supports this diagnosis.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Middle Ear Myoclonus: This is a condition characterized by involuntary contractions of the muscles in the middle ear, which can cause a clicking sound. It is often associated with other symptoms such as tinnitus or hearing loss, but can also occur in isolation.
- Palatal Myoclonus: This is a rare condition that affects the muscles of the palate, causing involuntary contractions that can lead to a clicking sound. It is often associated with other symptoms such as ear fullness or tinnitus.
- Eustachian Tube Dysfunction: This condition affects the tube that connects the middle ear to the back of the throat, and can cause a clicking or popping sound when swallowing or chewing.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Temporal Bone Fracture: Although the patient denies a history of trauma, it is possible that a fracture could have occurred without her knowledge or memory of the event. A temporal bone fracture can cause a clicking sound, and is a medical emergency that requires prompt attention.
- Vascular Malformation or Aneurysm: A vascular malformation or aneurysm in the temporal bone or middle ear can cause a clicking sound, and is a potentially life-threatening condition that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment.
- Rare diagnoses
- Patulous Eustachian Tube: This is a rare condition where the Eustachian tube remains open, causing a clicking or popping sound when breathing, chewing, or speaking.
- Stapedial Myoclonus: This is a rare condition that affects the stapedius muscle in the middle ear, causing involuntary contractions that can lead to a clicking sound.