title: Lemierre's syndrome from odontogenic infection: Review of the literature and case description.
abstract: Lemierre's syndrome (LS) is a rare potentially fatal sequel of head and neck infection, classically described as thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein (IJV) with cervical space infection extending into the thorax. Our objective was to answer the clinical question: "Does Lemierre syndrome (LS) from odontogenic infection differ from nonodontogenic LS in regard to clinical sequence, treatment, and survival." We reviewed the literature on the management of LS over the last two decades, with a focus on LS from odontogenic infection. Such a case is presented in order to portray the clinical sequence. Only 10 cases met the inclusion criteria (including the case presented). The recorded data were analyzed in comparison to large case series reviewing LS. Our data reflect the moderate differences in regard to IJV thrombosis and bacteriogram. There is an overall rise in published LS cases in the last 20 years. Odontogenic infection leading to LS is scarce, yet with survival rates similar to nonodontogenic LS. Repeated surgical interventions and aggressive wide spectrum antibiotic therapy remain the treatment of choice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Dani
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Noy
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Adi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rachmiel
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardio-thoracic Surgery, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Levy-Faber
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Omri
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Emodi
keywords: Descending mediastinitis; Lemierre's syndrome; necrotizing fasciitis; odontogenic infection; postanginal septicemia