[Lemierre syndrome: thrombosis of the internal jugular vein after tonsillectomy].
BACKGROUND
Thrombosis of the internal jugular vein is a rare and critical disease which can also be a complication of a benign oropharyngeal infection (Lemierre syndrome).


METHODS
A 62 year old patient underwent septomplasty, endonasal turbinectomy, paranasal sinus surgery and tonsillectomy. The postoperative course was uneventful until the 11th post operative day when the patient reported a painful swelling on the right side of the neck. Color Doppler ultrasonography demonstrated thrombosis of the right internal jugular vein and a CT-scan showed a right sided cervical phlegmonous soft tissue inflammation originating from the right oropharynx. Despite immediate intravenous antibiotic treatment, the patient developed a septic infection and resection of the jugular vein was conducted.


CONCLUSIONS
Lemierre syndrome is a rare condition which may also follow tonsillectomy. Under septic conditions, the resection of the internal jugular vein has to be performed to avoid serious complications.
Sagowski
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Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Universität Hamburg. sagowski@uke.uni-hamburg.de
Koch
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D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000473:pathology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012086:Reoperation; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014068:Tonsillectomy; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery