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Lemierre’s Syndrome with Facial Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Septic Emboli: A Case Report

Introduction: Lemierre’s syndrome (LS) is a rare and serious condition that often affects school-aged children, adolescents, and healthy young adults. It is defined as an oropharyngeal infection with secondary septicemia, internal jugular vein thrombosis, and septic emboli. Rare cases of atypical LS in which thrombosis occurs in other locations have been reported. Case Presentation: We presented a case of an adolescent with fever, sore throat, and neck tenderness. Physical examination revealed acute pharyngitis and bilateral small cervical lymph nodes. Rapid antigen group A Streptococcus and viral serologic tests were negative. Complete hemogram and blood biochemical analysis showed leukocytosis and elevated serum C-reactive protein (CRP). Cervical computerized tomography (CT) scan revealed a heterogeneous right tonsil and small cervical lymph nodes. The chest radiograph was normal. After admission, the adolescent started complaining of dyspnea and thoracic pain and had a painful small cervical right mass. In the thoracic CT angiography (CTA), several pulmonary septic emboli were apparent throughout the pulmonary parenchyma. Cervical Doppler ultrasound showed right facial vein thrombophlebitis, later confirmed in a CTA. Thromboses in other locations, including the internal jugular vein, were excluded, as well as cervical abscesses. The patient was successfully treated with intravenous antibiotic therapy and anticoagulation. Discussion: To this date, no reports of LS presenting with isolated thrombosis of the facial vein have been described in pediatric patients. We highlighted the importance of early recognition of LS and its atypical variants. Pediatric international guidelines regarding its management and treatment would also greatly affect the outcome of these patients.

Lemierre's Syndrome: A Comeback Story

Lemierre's syndrome is a very rare and life-threatening complication of bacterial pharyngitis and tonsillitis. Often referred to as a 'forgotten disease', Lemierre's syndrome has seen a rise in cases over the years secondary to increased antibiotic resistance. With the potential for multiple organ failure secondary to widespread septic emboli, Lemierre's syndrome can no longer be forgotten. Prompt initiation of treatment is needed for better patient outcomes. We describe an unusual case of a young female without any significant past medical history who presented with left-sided pleuritic chest pain several days after experiencing a sore throat.

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Septic Internal Jugular Thrombophlebitis: Updates in the Etiology and Treatment of Lemierre's Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Lemierre's syndrome is classically precipitated by oropharyngeal infections that progress to suppurative internal jugular vein thrombophlebitis via direct extension. Metastatic pneumonia from septic emboli is nearly universal and bacterial seeding frequently results in disseminated septic foci. Fusobacterium necrophorum is the most commonly reported etiologic agent, though methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an emerging pathogen and a myriad of oropharyngeal flora must be covered until blood cultures return. Prompt identification is paramount to minimizing morbidity. Empiric treatment with antibiotics exhibiting predominantly anaerobic activity has been standard, but now may be insufficient, given an evolving microbial landscape. Anticoagulation continues to be debated.

CASE REPORT

We describe an uncommon presentation of Lemierre's syndrome in a diabetic patient secondary to MRSA, where the only identifiable source of entry was atraumatic post-auricular cellulitis. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? Given the evolving landscape of organisms implicated in septic internal jugular thrombophlebitis, empiric treatment should entail consideration of MRSA. Patients at an elevated risk include those who are undomiciled or incarcerated, injection drug users, human immunodeficiency virus-positive, and have recently been hospitalized or completed a course of antibiotics. The existing evidence evaluating empiric anticoagulation is low-powered and retrospective and would benefit from randomized controlled trials. Although it does not appear valuable for most, those with thrombus extension, persistent bacteremia, or central venous thrombosis may benefit.

Lemierre's syndrome: current perspectives on diagnosis and management

This is a systematic review of cases with Lemierre’s syndrome (LS) in the past 5 years. LS is characterized by sepsis often evolving after a sore throat or tonsillitis and then complicated by various septic emboli and thrombosis of the internal jugular vein. Symptoms include sepsis, pain, and/or swelling in the throat or neck, as well as respiratory symptoms. Laboratory findings show elevated infectious parameters and radiological findings show thrombosis of the internal jugular vein and emboli in the lungs or other organs. The syndrome is often associated with an infection with Fusobacterium necrophorum. We found a total of 137 cases of LS, of which 47 were infected with F. necrophorum and others with Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. Complications of this rare but severe disease included osteomyelitis, meningitis, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Mortality was extremely high in the pre-antibiotic era but has diminished with the advent of antibiotics. This review showed a mortality rate of only 2% of which none of the cases involved fusobacteria. Duration of treatment varied; a 4–6-week course of carbapenem or piperacillin/tazobactam in combination with metronidazole was optimum. Other treatment options included anticoagulants in 46% of cases, which is unwarrantedly high, as to date, no evidence of the positive effects of anticoagulants in LS exists. Only two cases had ligation of the internal jugular vein performed. This review confirms the rare, but severe aspects of LS. Mortality from LS in this day and age appears to be low, however the syndrome is difficult to recognize, and still requires the full attention of the clinician.