What causes the eyes to go around as if spun on a chair?

Question

Hello doctor,

My son is four years old. He was diagnosed with vertigo. It started when he was playing on his gadget. When he plays an action game, we have found that he becomes extremely scared and points to his head. When it first started, I saw his eyes going around and around as if someone spun him in a chair. He can watch TV videos with no problem. Yesterday he was playing virtual games with his sister, the game with bowling, tennis, baseball, and boxing. He was boxing and had another episode. It is after the episode that varies. When it started, he either vomited or fell asleep. Now that it has been several months, yesterday's was not so bad, no vomiting, he did not sleep. However, later that night, when he was in his bed with no other distractions, he would kick his legs and move quickly. It felt like a residual episode. I am not sure how to explain it. We have treated him with Dramamine and an antihistamine through the doctor. He has had a brain scan and a complete blood panel. All the numbers were nominal. We know what triggers it. Is this something that will go away in time? Would seeing an ear, nose, throat specialist be beneficial?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com. Your son's symptoms could be related to epilepsy seizures. If this diagnosis is confirmed, this situation may last for some years, depending on the possible causes. For this reason, I recommend performing an EEG (electroencephalogram). Starting an antiepileptic drug may be needed. His blood lab tests are within the normal ranges (attachment removed to protect patient identity). I hope you will find this answer helpful.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com. It is important to perform a comprehensive differential diagnosis between two possible causes that may lead to this clinical situation: 1. An inner ear disorder. 2. Epilepsy seizures. For this reason, it is important to perform first an ERG (electroretinography) to investigate seizures (although the CT scan is normal, seizures cannot be excluded). In case of abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG), an anti epilepsy drug would be needed. The next step is to consult with an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist and perform labyrinthine tests to exclude an inner ear disorder.