Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2001 Dec;44(12):1326-1331.

Lemierre's Syndrome Following Acute Tonsillitis

• Park JH
• Sang DM
• Lee CH
• Sohn JH

Abstract

Abstract Postanginal sepsis (Lemierre's syndrome) is a rare disease but potentially life-threatening illness at the present. This disease is a septicemia resulting from an antecedent oropharyngitis that causes deep neck infection, an internal jugular vein thrombophlebitis and septic emboli. Because of the severity of the disease and the difficulty in its diagnosis, familiarity with all aspects of the disease is essential. This syndrome needs immediate diagnosis and treatment. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography is the most useful method for an accurate diagnosis. Treatment of Lemierre's syndrome includes incision & drainage, systemic antibiotics, anticoagulation and other surgical interventions. We report on two cases of Lemierre's syndrome which showed deep neck infection, internal jugular vein thrmobosis and pulmonary septic emboli.

Keyword

Internal jugular vein; Thrombophlebitis; Pulmonary embolism; Oropharyngitis; Sepsis

MeSH Terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Diagnosis
Drainage
Jugular Veins
Lemierre Syndrome*
Neck
Palatine Tonsil*
Pulmonary Embolism
Rare Diseases
Recognition (Psychology)
Sepsis
Thrombophlebitis
Tonsillitis*
Anti-Bacterial Agents