Early antibiotic treatment may prevent complete development of Lemierre's syndrome: experience from 2 cases.
Lemierre's syndrome is a rare fulminant condition caused by an acute oropharyngeal infection, with secondary septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein complicated by multiple metastatic infections. Herein we report 2 patients with internal jugular vein thrombosis secondary to oropharyngeal infection, whose clinical course was indolent, and who were asymptomatic shortly after antibiotic therapy was begun. Careful examination of the neck in patients presenting with sore throat could help identify the typical 'cord sign'. In such cases, intravenous antibiotic treatment should be started as soon as possible to prevent development of metastatic infections and septicaemia characterizing Lemierre's syndrome.
Sherer
Y
Y
Department of Medicine 'B' and Unit of Infectious Diseases, Barzilai Medical Center, Ashkelon, Israel.
Mishal
J
J
Leibovici
O
O
D000328:Adult; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002981:Clindamycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007601:Jugular Veins; D008297:Male; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013577:Syndrome; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002981:Clindamycin; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination