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Carbon monoxide poisoning: an unusual cause of dizziness

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 April 2010

R Lakhani  and
N Bleach
R Lakhani*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Wexham Park Hospital, Slough, UK
N Bleach
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Wexham Park Hospital, Slough, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr Raj Lakhani, Department of Otolaryngology, Wexham Park Hospital, Slough SL2 4HH, UK. Fax: +44 (0)1753 633 051 E-mail: drlakhani@doctors.net.uk
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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.

Keywords

Carbon Monoxide PoisoningDizziness
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 124 , Issue 10 , October 2010 , pp. 1103 - 1105
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2010

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