[Septic thrombosis of the axillary vein with unilateral pulmonary abscess. Variation of Lemierre's syndrome].
METHODS
A man aged 62 was hospitalized for treatment of an axillary abscesses originating from a suppurative hidradenitis.


METHODS
Microbiological tests revealed peptostreptococcus and staphylococci. Hepatic enzymes were moderately elevated in association with a mild hyperbilirubinemia.


RESULTS
After surgical intervention the patient developed a severe septic illness together with a unilateral pulmonary infection and abscess formation, requiring a thoracotomy. Preoperative serology ruled out active hepatitis as well as atypical pneumonia. The detection of a unilateral septic axillary thrombosis led to the correct diagnosis. Antibiotics and anticoagulation brought about a complete cure.


CONCLUSIONS
In cases of septicemia of uncertain origin septic venous thromboses should be considered in the differential diagnosis.
Chirurgische Klinik I, Evangelisches Krankenhaus Lutherhaus, Essen. johannes.schmidt@lutherhaus.de
J
J
Schmidt
N
N
Dogan
M
M
Schäfer
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001367:Axillary Vein; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008169:Lung Abscess / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010462:Peptostreptococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018805:Sepsis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013908:Thoracotomy; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents