Septic pulmonary emboli secondary to internal jugular vein phlebitis (postanginal sepsis) caused by Eikenella corrodens.

Postanginal sepsis is the term used to describe the life-threatening infection caused by suppurative phlebitis of the internal jugular vein secondary to infection of the parapharyngeal spaces. This begins with a history of pharyngitis followed by infection of the parapharyngeal spaces, septic pulmonary embolism, and septicemia caused by hematogenous dissemination of the infection. The oral anaerobes are the most common pathogens associated with this syndrome. Recently, we managed 2 patients who had septic pulmonary embolism from postanginal sepsis syndrome caused by Eikenella corrodens. Previously, E. corrodens has not been described in association with this syndrome. The clinical presentation, anatomic, bacteriologic, and management aspects of postanginal sepsis syndrome are reviewed based on our experience with these 2 cases. In patients with clinical evidence of septic pulmonary embolism, particularly in the nonintravenous drug abusers, postanginal sepsis and septic jugular phlebitis have to be considered as a source of septic pulmonary embolism.