title: Early diagnosis of Lemierre's syndrome based on a medical history and physical findings.
abstract: A 37-year-old woman presented with fever and rigor after experiencing respiratory symptoms the previous week that had resolved within a few days. On presentation, her neck was swollen along the right sternocleidomastoid muscle, and chest CT showed pulmonary septic embolisms. Lemierre's syndrome was strongly suspected based on the patient's medical history and physical findings. Further examination revealed venous thrombus, and Fusobacterium necrophorum was later isolated from blood cultures. Antibiotics for anaerobes were administered before a final diagnosis was made, and the patient's symptoms thereafter improved. A rapid diagnosis is essential, since Lemierre's syndrome can be fatal with a diagnostic delay.
authors: General Internal Medicine, Fukuchiyama City Hospital, Japan.
authors: Yutaka
authors: Y
authors: Murata
authors: Mikio
authors: M
authors: Wada
authors: Atsushi
authors: A
authors: Kawashima
authors: Keizo
authors: K
authors: Kagawa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005675:Fusobacterium necrophorum / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D057831:Lemierre Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D008487:Medical History Taking; D010808:Physical Examination