A patient has recurrent attacks of vertigo lasting several hours with tinnitus, aural fullness and fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss. Which diagnosis is most likely?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Meniere's disease
- Step 1: Episodic vertigo with unilateral tinnitus and low-frequency hearing loss suggests endolymphatic hydrops. Step 2. Management includes betahistine, advice on triggers and, for refractory cases, intratympanic therapy. Answer: Meniere's disease. Why not the others: BPPV is brief and positional with no hearing loss. Vestibular neuritis is a single prolonged episode. Acoustic neuroma causes progressive loss, not episodes.
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