Which condition is most likely diagnosed in a young patient with acute dizziness, nausea, vomiting, hearing loss on one side, and horizontal nystagmus?

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The clinical presentation of acute dizziness, nausea, vomiting, unilateral hearing loss, and horizontal nystagmus is highly indicative of labyrinthitis. This condition often occurs after a respiratory infection or viral illness, leading to inflammation of the inner ear structures, including the labyrinth.

In labyrinthitis, the disruption of the vestibular and auditory pathways results in both vertiginous symptoms and hearing impairment, typically affecting one side, which aligns with the description provided. The presence of horizontal nystagmus, which is a form of eye movement typically associated with vestibular dysfunction, further supports the diagnosis of labyrinthitis rather than other conditions.

Cerebellar infarction may present with dizziness and balance issues, but it usually would involve more focal neurological signs and possibly symptoms like ataxia rather than solely the symptoms described. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo primarily leads to brief episodes of vertigo triggered by changes in head position without the accompanying auditory deficits. Suppurative otitis media can cause dizziness and nausea but is more commonly associated with ear pain and often does not produce severe nystagmus or unilateral hearing loss to the extent seen in labyrinthitis.

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