Mrs P has been feeling very dizzy for the last few days. Initially she thought it might be due to abnormal blood pressure, but she's never had blood pressure problems before. She decides to visit her GP.
The following is a summary of the GP’s notes:
History:
Sudden onset vertigo sensation – patient denies that she feels lightheaded, but describes the sensation: “It feels like everything around me is spinning out of control”. The spinning sensation is not brought on by any specific position of her head, but appears randomly and last for minutes at a time.
After asking her, the patient admits that she's been experiencing a ringing sound in her left ear for approximately the past week. Occasionally it feels as if her hearing is not as good in her left ear.
No discharges from patient’s ears. She does not experience any pain in her ears.
She reports no medical or surgical history.
Flu-like symptoms about a week ago – cleared after taking over-the-counter medication. Mrs P is a regular smoker.
On Examination:
- Normal system examination: normal heart, lungs and abdominal exams.
- Throat: slightly red – appearance similar to a persistent post-nasal drip
- Ears: normal examination.
Based on the information above, what is the most likely diagnosis?
Hint: The timing and duration of Mrs P's symptoms is vital for differentiating between possible causes.
What’s your diagnosis? Join the guesswork on our Facebook page, or comment below.
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