Lemierre syndrome: A case report

ABSTRACT

Abscesses are common in the oral and maxillofacial area. However, secondary thrombosis of the internal jugular vein accompanying the primary abscess is rare. In 1936, Andre Lemeierre studied 20 patients who showed an initial oropharyngeal infection, septicemia, internal jugular vein thrombosis, and secondary spread of the infection, and after then this condition Lemierre syndrome. Clinically, these patients present with tonsilitis lasting several days, continuous fever, and cervical pain. In the past, ligation and excision of the internal jugular vein was often performed. Current therapeutic modality for this condition is appropriate antibiotic prescription and surgical drainage of abscess. This case report presents a patient who showed symptoms of Lemierre syndrome, initiated as an oropharyngeal infection then developed thrombosis of the internal jugular vein. This patient was admitted into Seoul National University Dental Hospital. In addition to routine antibiotic therapy, surgical incision and drainage of the infection site was performed. Without ligation or excision, the thrombosed IJV disappeared eventually. As the Lemierre syndrome is not a common disease, this case report and review of the literature would be useful regarding a treatment of patients with Lemierre syndrome.