N Davidoss1, J F Ha1, J R Anderson2, S Rodrigues1. 1. Department of Ear, Nose and Throat,Royal Perth Hospital,Western Australia,Australia. 2. Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery,Fremantle Hospital,Western Australia,Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Lemierre's syndrome, which affects previously healthy, young adults, is a rare complication secondary to infections in the head and neck that result in septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein. METHOD: This paper reports a case of a young, healthy female with malignant otitis externa, which resulted in the development of Lemierre's syndrome. A review of the relevant literature was also carried out. This involved a search of the Medline database using multiple search terms including 'Lemierre', 'septic thrombophlebitis', 'otitis externa', 'internal jugular vein thrombosis' and 'management'. RESULTS: The patient presented with fever, left-sided otalgia, otorrhoea, neck swelling and pain. She was subsequently diagnosed with Lemierre's syndrome and managed accordingly. CONCLUSION: Lemierre's syndrome is a potentially fatal complication associated with significant morbidity. A high index of suspicion is required for prompt recognition and the early institution of treatment.
BACKGROUND:Lemierre's syndrome, which affects previously healthy, young adults, is a rare complication secondary to infections in the head and neck that result in septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein. METHOD: This paper reports a case of a young, healthy female with malignant otitis externa, which resulted in the development of Lemierre's syndrome. A review of the relevant literature was also carried out. This involved a search of the Medline database using multiple search terms including 'Lemierre', 'septic thrombophlebitis', 'otitis externa', 'internal jugular vein thrombosis' and 'management'. RESULTS: The patient presented with fever, left-sided otalgia, otorrhoea, neck swelling and pain. She was subsequently diagnosed with Lemierre's syndrome and managed accordingly. CONCLUSION:Lemierre's syndrome is a potentially fatal complication associated with significant morbidity. A high index of suspicion is required for prompt recognition and the early institution of treatment.
Authors: Karen Viera-Rodríguez; Marta Delgado-Magdalena; Elena León-Soriano; José Francisco Ávila-de Tomás Journal: Aten Primaria Date: 2017-03-11 Impact factor: 1.137