R Lakhani1, N Bleach. 1. Department of Otolaryngology, Wexham Park Hospital, Slough, UK. drlakhani@doctors.net.uk
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: We report an unusual case of dizziness caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. CASE REPORT: A 55-year-old man was referred to an ENT surgeon with dizziness. The patient described vague, non-specific symptoms not consistent with a diagnosis of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, labyrinthitis or Ménière's disease. It emerged later that the patient had been suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning from a leaky gas hot water boiler in his house. After having the boiler fixed, the patient's symptoms completely resolved. CONCLUSION: When the more common causes of dizziness cannot be found, less common but important differential diagnoses, such as carbon monoxide poisoning, should be considered.
OBJECTIVE: We report an unusual case of dizziness caused by carbon monoxidepoisoning. CASE REPORT: A 55-year-old man was referred to an ENT surgeon with dizziness. The patient described vague, non-specific symptoms not consistent with a diagnosis of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, labyrinthitis or Ménière's disease. It emerged later that the patient had been suffering from carbon monoxidepoisoning from a leaky gas hot water boiler in his house. After having the boiler fixed, the patient's symptoms completely resolved. CONCLUSION: When the more common causes of dizziness cannot be found, less common but important differential diagnoses, such as carbon monoxidepoisoning, should be considered.