Lemierre's syndrome

South Med J. 1997 Jun;90(6):640-3. doi: 10.1097/00007611-199706000-00012.

Abstract

Lemierre's syndrome is an acute medical condition characterized by anaerobic oropharyngeal infection leading to septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein. The illness is often complicated by septic pulmonary emboli and distant metastatic infections. Treatment consists of surgical drainage of purulent collections and long-term intravenous antibiotic therapy. Although Lemierre's syndrome is rare, it is potentially fatal and remains an important entity for clinicians to recognize and treat appropriately.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abscess / drug therapy
  • Abscess / microbiology
  • Abscess / surgery
  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Cause of Death
  • Drainage
  • Drug Therapy, Combination / administration & dosage
  • Drug Therapy, Combination / therapeutic use
  • Gram-Negative Anaerobic Bacteria*
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections* / drug therapy
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Jugular Veins / microbiology*
  • Male
  • Pulmonary Embolism / drug therapy
  • Pulmonary Embolism / microbiology
  • Pulmonary Embolism / surgery
  • Sepsis / drug therapy
  • Sepsis / surgery
  • Syndrome
  • Thrombosis / drug therapy
  • Thrombosis / microbiology*
  • Thrombosis / surgery
  • Tonsillitis / drug therapy
  • Tonsillitis / microbiology*
  • Tonsillitis / surgery

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents