Case of the Week
Section Editors: Matylda Machnowska1 and Anvita Pauranik2
1University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2BC Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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March 31, 2014
Lemierre Syndrome
- Lemierre syndrome is a rare complication of oropharyngeal infection, first described in 1936. It is characterized by pharyngeal inflammatory process, septic thrombophlebitis of internal jugular vein, and metastatic infections, with lungs most often involved.
- This entity usually affects adolescents and young adults, and diagnosis is made with characteristic radiologic findings and positive blood cultures, with Fusobacteium necrophorum the most common pathogen.
- Key Radiologic Findings: Pharyngeal inflammatory process, thrombosis in the internal jugular vein, and distant septic emboli (usually pulmonary)
- Rx: Agressive antibiotic therapy, drainage of pharyngeal abscess (if any)