title: Lemierre's syndrome - an unusual complication of otitis externa in a young, healthy female.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lemierre's syndrome, which affects previously healthy, young adults, is a rare complication secondary to infections in the head and neck that result in septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein.
  
  
  METHODS
  This paper reports a case of a young, healthy female with malignant otitis externa, which resulted in the development of Lemierre's syndrome. A review of the relevant literature was also carried out. This involved a search of the Medline database using multiple search terms including 'Lemierre', 'septic thrombophlebitis', 'otitis externa', 'internal jugular vein thrombosis' and 'management'.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patient presented with fever, left-sided otalgia, otorrhoea, neck swelling and pain. She was subsequently diagnosed with Lemierre's syndrome and managed accordingly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lemierre's syndrome is a potentially fatal complication associated with significant morbidity. A high index of suspicion is required for prompt recognition and the early institution of treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ear, Nose and Throat,Royal Perth Hospital,Western Australia,Australia.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Davidoss
authors.affiliation: Department of Ear, Nose and Throat,Royal Perth Hospital,Western Australia,Australia.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Ha
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery,Fremantle Hospital,Western Australia,Australia.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: Department of Ear, Nose and Throat,Royal Perth Hospital,Western Australia,Australia.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000473:pathology; D057831:Lemierre Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D010032:Otitis Externa / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology
keywords: Disease Management