A Case of Lemierre's Syndrome with Cranial Nerve Palsies

ABSTRACT

Lemierre's syndrome is a rare acute medical condition characterized by anaerobic oropharyngeal infections leading to septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein. The illness is often complicated by septic pulmonary emboli and distant metastatic infections. Treatment consists of long-term intravenous antibiotic therapy and surgical drainage of purulent collections. Although Lemierre's syndrome is rare, it is potentially fatal and remains an important entity for clinicians to recognize and treat appropriately. We report a 19-year-old female of Lemierre`s syndrome complicated with bacterial meningitis and multiple cranial neuropathies. (J Korean Neurol Assoc 19(5)529~532, 2001)