A unique case of Lemierre's syndrome status post blunt cervical trauma

Case Report on Mycobacterium tuberculosis Presenting As Lemierre's Syndrome: A Reemerging Catastrophe

Lemierre's syndrome is characterized by internal jugular vein thrombophlebitis and bacteremia, primarily from anaerobic organisms. The condition usually arises after a recent oropharyngeal infection. Young, healthy people with prolonged pharyngitis that progresses into septicemia, pneumonia, or lateral neck stiffness should be suspected of having Lemierre's syndrome. Identifying internal jugular vein thrombophlebitis and developing anaerobic bacterial growth on blood culture are frequently used to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment consists of long-term antibiotic treatment, sometimes in conjunction with anticoagulant medication. In this case report, we describe the unique case of a 29-year-old male with Mycobacterium tuberculosis with pulmonary tuberculosis, tubercular meningitis, tuberculosis-related acute ischemic stroke with septic thrombophlebitis. The patient presented with sudden onset altered sensorium for 4 hours. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain was done, which suggested obstructive hydrocephalus with periventricular ooze. The patient was started on antibacillary treatment, antibiotics, anticoagulants, and systemic steroids. The patient was vitally stable when he was discharged. Therefore, it is crucial to consider the likelihood of such atypical tuberculosis presentations while providing a prompt and relevant diagnosis and recommending the right course of therapy.

Suspected Post-intubation Onset of Lemierre Syndrome: A Case Report

Lemierre syndrome (LS) is an infectious thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein (IJV) that typically occurs in previously healthy, young individuals after a recent oropharyngeal bacterial illness. Here, we present the case of a 63-year-old female who presented six days after trauma to the oropharynx from intubation for lumbar interbody fusion with fever, dysphagia, and pain and swelling of the neck. Imaging confirmed IJV thrombosis spanning C2 to C5; however, blood cultures were negative on two separate occasions. Treatment with IV antibiotics led to rapid clinical improvement compared to baseline.

Lemierre's Syndrome Associated With Papillary Thyroid Cancer and Cerebellar Stroke

A 53-year-old woman with no past medical history presented to the Emergency Department with right frontal headache and ipsilateral neck pain. She was found to have right internal jugular vein thrombosis, right cerebellar stroke, meningitis, septic pulmonary emboli, and fusobacterium bacteremia, all consistent with a severe presentation of Lemierre's syndrome (LS). While LS is often preceded by nasopharyngeal infection, no such history was elicited from our patient. Instead, concomitant papillary thyroid cancer with extension to her right internal jugular vein was implicated. Prompt recognition of these multiple related processes led to a timely initiation of appropriate therapy for infection, stroke, and malignancy.

Post-traumatic Lemierres Syndrome: A rare presentation secondary to mandibular fracture

Lemierre’s Syndrome is a rare phenomenon with a low prevalence and is characteristically seen in patients with an oropharyngeal infection that is complicated by thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein and secondary septic emboli. We present the case of a 16 year old previously well male who was diagnosed with a rare case of Lemierre’s syndrome secondary to a mandibular fracture. Blood tests and radiological imaging confirmed the diagnosis, with CT scan of the patients head and neck revealing a right mandibular fracture with abscess formation, bilateral parapharyngeal abscesses, bilateral internal jugular vein thromboses, left sigmoid sinus thrombosis, cavernous sinus thrombosis, post septal orbital cellulitis with enhancing infraorbital collections and a subdural empyema overlying the left tentorium cerebelli. The treatment is usually non-operative with antibiotics and in some instances surgical drainage. In this case a combination of surgical drainage for source control and antibiotics were used. Unfortunately, despite an initial improvement in the patient’s clinical status the patient died. This is the first case of Lemierre’s syndrome secondary to blunt facial trauma reported in the scientific literature. This case highlights the importance of clinicians having a high degree of suspicion of Lemierre’s syndrome when a patient presents with typical clinical features following facial trauma.

Respiratory Distress: Three Patient Cases

As mentioned in the January 2022 Pediatrics in Review Commentary, we now present three patients who have a common chief complaint followed by 5 questions for CME credit. All three cases have discussions on presentation, the differential diagnosis, and management that collectively serve as a Review article. The common theme here is that all three patients have difficulty breathing. We hope you will enjoy this review format.