Lemierre's syndrome: three cases and a review

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2005 Aug;262(8):651-4. doi: 10.1007/s00405-004-0880-3. Epub 2004 Dec 15.

Abstract

Postanginal sepsis, also called Lemierre's syndrome, is a rare but acute medical condition complicating oropharyngeal infection. The pathogenesis consists of the development of internal jugular vein septic thrombophlebitis leading to metastatic infections in the lung and other sites. The causative microorganism is most often Fusobacterium necrophorum. We present three patients with Lemierre's syndrome who presented to the Leiden University Medical Center and give a review of the literature.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Fusobacterium Infections / diagnosis*
  • Fusobacterium Infections / drug therapy
  • Fusobacterium necrophorum*
  • Humans
  • Jugular Veins*
  • Male
  • Pharyngitis / microbiology*
  • Sepsis / diagnosis*
  • Sepsis / drug therapy
  • Sepsis / microbiology
  • Syndrome
  • Thrombophlebitis / microbiology*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents