A case of Lemierre's syndrome.
Lemierre's syndrome is a rare but potentially life-threatening entity that follows an oropharyngeal infection. The syndrome is characterized by an antecedent acute oropharyngeal infection, with secondary suppurative thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein and septic emboli. In the pre-antibiotic era, it had a 90% mortality rate. Now, with the advent of antibiotics, the prognosis is favorable, but delays in diagnosis may result in increased morbidity and mortality. Its incidence appears to be increasing. We present a case of Lemierre's syndrome, most notable for the patient's essentially benign physical examination and lack of clinical improvement with penicillin.
Ma
Marek
M
University Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267-0769, USA. marek.ma@uc.edu
Jauch
Edward C
EC
Johnson
Marleen Cousins
MC
D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002981:Clindamycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005674:Fusobacterium Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D005675:Fusobacterium necrophorum; D006801:Humans; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000382:microbiology*; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000150:complications*; D013577:Syndrome; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000382:microbiology*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D008795:Metronidazole; D002981:Clindamycin