Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2013 Sep;56(9):579-583. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2013.56.9.579.

A Case of Lemierre Syndrome Following Oropharyngeal Infection

• Park SC
• Lee YJ
• Ha JG
• Lee JH

• KMID: 1855839
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2013.56.9.579

Abstract

Lemierre syndrome is characterized by a history of recent oropharyngeal infection, clinical or radiological evidence of internal jugular vein thrombosis, and isolation of pathogens, mainly Fusobacterium necrophorum. Septic emboli resulting from infected thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein leads to metastatic infections involving lung, liver, kidney, bone and central nervous system. Before the advent of antibiotics, the disease used to be common, incurring a high mortality rate. The disease is less frequently seen nowadays, but it is still a life-threatening disease, requiring a high index of suspicion and prompt treatment. We report a case of Lemierre syndrome, which showed oropharyngeal infection, and internal jugular vein thrombosis.

Keyword

Internal jugular vein; Lemierre syndrome; Oropharyngeal infection; Sepsis Thrombophlebitis

MeSH Terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Central Nervous System
Fusobacterium necrophorum
Jugular Veins
Kidney
Lemierre Syndrome
Liver
Lung
Thrombophlebitis
Thrombosis
Anti-Bacterial Agents