What condition is most likely causing dizziness, headache, and nausea in an older adult who was in a motor vehicle collision 10 days prior?

Post-concussive syndrome is the most likely condition causing dizziness, headache, and nausea in an older adult who experienced a motor vehicle collision 10 days prior. This syndrome can develop after a concussion, which is a form of mild traumatic brain injury. It is characterized by a constellation of symptoms that can include headaches, dizziness, cognitive changes, and emotional disturbances.

Given the time frame of 10 days post-collision, it aligns well with the typical onset of post-concussive syndrome, which can arise within days to weeks following the initial injury. During this period, individuals often report persistent symptoms even after they may appear to have recovered from the initial trauma.

In contrast, chronic traumatic encephalopathy is a progressive neurodegenerative disease typically associated with repeated concussive or sub-concussive blows to the head, and it manifests over a much longer time frame, usually years after such injuries. Cerebral hemorrhage is a serious condition that would likely present with more acute and severe symptoms rather than lingering ones 10 days post-injury. Hydrocephalus, which involves an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the brain, could potentially cause similar symptoms but typically has other signs, such as changes in consciousness or cognitive function.