Thrombophlebitis of the head and neck: report of two cases.
Septic thrombophlebitis caused by head and neck infection has become a rare disorder due to the development of antibiotics. We report herein two cases of septic thrombophlebitis of the head and neck. Case 1 was a 7-year-old girl, who presented with fever, otalgia, and headache. Acute otitis media was diagnosed in another hospital. A computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated mastoiditis with thrombophlebitis of the right lateral and sigmoid sinuses. Case 2 was a 39-year-old woman, who presented with left neck pain, fever chills and severe pharyngalacia. Peritonsillar abscess was diagnosed. A CT scan demonstrated a left internal jugular vein thrombus in addition to multiple pulmonary nodules with emboli. A diagnosis of Lemierre's syndrome was made based on these findings. Both cases were successfully treated by intravenous antibiotics. A lack of awareness of these conditions and a delayed diagnosis may lead to potentially fatal consequences. A clinical suspicion of septic thrombophlebitis seems to be essential to make an accurate diagnosis during the early stage of the disease and archive a successful outcome.
Nakayama
Masahiro
M
Department of Otolaryngology, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba 305-8575, Japan.
Tabuchi
Keiji
K
Nomura
Masatake
M
Murashita
Hidekazu
H
Komeno
Masae
M
Yamaguchi
Takashi
T
Okubo
Hideki
H
Hara
Akira
A
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008417:Mastoiditis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D000039:Peritonsillar Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D018805:Sepsis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012851:Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents