scholarly journals An Unusual Variant of Lemierre’s Syndrome with Multiple Abscesses and Hepatic Vein Thrombosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatma Hammami ◽  
Makram Koubaa ◽  
Abrakhom Zeyni ◽  
Amal Chakroun ◽  
Khaoula Rekik ◽  
...  

Introduction: Lemierre’s syndrome is an uncommon, life-threatening disease that develops as a severe complication of oropharyngeal infection. However, this syndrome has also been reported during anaerobic septicemia, originating from diverse sources of infection, such as the gastrointestinal system. The diagnosis of this syndrome remains challenging, and is often prompted by the detection of Fusobacterium necrophorum in blood culture, rather than with clinical signs or symptoms. Case Presentation: A previously healthy 38-year-old woman was hospitalized for a 6-day history of fever, watery diarrhea, and vomiting. Physical examination of the patient showed fever, pharyngitis, and diffuse abdominal tenderness. Laboratory investigations revealed elevated inflammatory markers, and two blood cultures revealed Fusobacterium necrophorum. An abdominal ultrasound showed a liver abscess and hepatic vein thrombosis. The thoracoabdominal and cerebral computed tomography scan confirmed the results of the abdominal ultrasound. It additionally revealed bilateral lung nodules and a parietal brain abscess. The patient’s general condition and her laboratory test results, improved after receiving treatment with ceftriaxone and metronidazole. She received antibiotics for three months, without anticoagulation therapy. Repeated computed tomography scans showed a resolution of the liver, pulmonary, and brain abscesses, as well as the recanalization of the hepatic vein. Conclusions: Lemierre’s syndrome emerges as a result of septic illness and liver abscesses in case of gastrointestinal symptoms despite the lack of common presentation.

2002 ◽  
Vol 116 (3) ◽  
pp. 216-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Hope ◽  
Nigel Bleach ◽  
Sabour Ghiacy

Lemierre’s syndrome comprises internal jugular vein thrombosis following oropharyngeal sepsis and is a rare and serious condition. It is most commonly caused by the anaerobe Fusobacterium necrophorum and typically presents as metastatic sepsis to the lungs and joints. Thrombosis is demonstrated by computed tomography (CT) of the neck, and it is routinely treated with intravenous antibiotics and anti-coagulation.We describe a case of Lemierre’s syndrome following acute supraglottitis. The clinical features were of retrograde intracranial thrombosis, rather than the more usual metastatic sepsis.


2002 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 234-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian A. Moore ◽  
Catherine Dekle ◽  
Jay Werkhaven

Lemierre's syndrome is characterized by thrombosis of the internal jugular vein that develops following an oropharyngeal infection. Sepsis and septic metastases frequently ensue and affect the lungs, the musculoskeletal system, and occasionally the liver. Most cases are caused by infection with Fusobacterium necrophorum. This infection responds to antibiotic therapy with beta-lactamase-resistant compounds that exert good anaerobic coverage. Anticoagulation and surgical intervention can be helpful in advanced cases. Fewer than 160 cases of classic Lemierre's syndrome have been described; approximately one-third of these reported cases have occurred since 1988. We describe a new case of Lemierre's syndrome that occurred in an otherwise healthy 27-year-old man. Thrombosis of both internal jugular veins extended through the subclavian system and into both upper extremities. The patient was treated with intravenous antibiotics and heparin during 14 days of hospitalization. He was discharged on oral clindamycin and warfarin sodium, and after 6 months he was able to return to full activity. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of Lemierre's syndrome in which internal jugular vein thrombosis occurred bilaterally. By reporting this previously undescribed manifestation of Lemierre's syndrome, we hope to increase practitioner awareness of this disease entity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
John Gaskill ◽  
Michael Aronson

Once coined the “Forgotten Disease,” Lemierre’s syndrome is a rare condition that results from oropharyngeal infection with the gram-negative, anaerobic Fusobacterium necrophorum. The typical progression of illness involves spread to adjacent structures such as the internal jugular vein with resulting thrombophlebitis. Septic emboli to distant sites are also a common sequela. Here, we present a case of Lemierre’s syndrome in a 20-year-old, otherwise healthy, male. The patient presented with fever, sore throat, and dysphagia. Imaging revealed peritonsillar multiloculated fluid collections and necrotizing pneumonia with multiple pulmonary abscesses. The patient’s hospital course was complicated by the development of necrotizing fasciitis in his right lower leg, which required incision and drainage with surgical washout. In addition to systemic intravenous antibiotics and anticoagulation, he underwent multiple thoracentesis procedures. The patient was ultimately transferred to a tertiary care center due to persistent fevers and lung abscesses. This case highlights the challenges of initial diagnosis, as well as the treatment choices faced by the attending physicians.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas V. Hadjinicolaou ◽  
Yiannis Philippou

We report the case of a previously healthy, immunocompetent 23-year-old male who presented to the Emergency Department with general malaise, difficulty in breathing, fever, and chest pain. He reported a two-week history of progressively worsening sore throat that he presumed to be a viral infection and thus initially neglected. However, when his condition deteriorated, he was admitted to hospital acutely unwell and in respiratory distress. He quickly developed septic shock requiring intensive care admission for inotropic support. Ultrasound and CT imaging revealed internal jugular vein thrombosis with associated septic emboli reaching the lungs to form bilateral cavitations and consequently pleural effusions. Blood cultures were positive forFusobacterium necrophorum. Based on these findings, a diagnosis of Lemierre’s syndrome was made. The patient was treated with appropriate antibiotics and anticoagulation and gradually recovered. He was discharged 20 days after admission with advice to complete a six-week course of antibiotics.


Author(s):  
David Nygren ◽  
Johan Elf ◽  
Gustav Torisson ◽  
Karin Holm

Abstract Background Lemierre’s syndrome is typically caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum where an oropharyngeal infection is followed by septic internal jugular vein thrombophlebitis with subsequent septic embolization. Yet, the pathogenesis of septic thrombophlebitis, differences dependent on presence of jugular vein thrombosis and the role of anticoagulant therapy are insufficiently understood. Methods Patients with invasive infection with F. necrophorum and Lemierre’s syndrome who had been investigated for jugular vein thrombosis were included from a previous population-based observational study in Sweden. Medical records were reviewed and compared in patients with and without jugular vein thrombosis. Then, patients with jugular vein thrombosis were compared by exposure to therapeutic, prophylactic or no anticoagulation. Outcomes examined were thrombosis progression, early or late peripheral septic complications, chronic major sequelae, 30-day mortality and major bleeding. Results 51/82 (62%) radiologically investigated patients with Lemierre’s syndrome had jugular vein thrombosis. Patients with jugular vein thrombosis had lower platelet levels (median 76 vs 112 x10^9/L, p=0.04) on presentation and more days to defervesence (12 vs. 7 days, p=0.03), yet similar rates of major sequelae and 30-day-mortality. No significant differences in outcomes were seen between patients with jugular vein thrombosis exposed to therapeutic, prophylactic or no anticoagulation therapy, yet study outcomes were rare. Conclusion Patients with Lemierre’s syndrome with jugular vein thrombosis were more severely affected, yet had similar prognosis. Most patients with jugular vein thrombosis recovered well without therapeutic anticoagulation therapy, though adverse events were similarly rare in anticoagulated patients. The observational design and rarity of study outcomes requires cautious interpretation.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Faraone ◽  
Alberto Fortini ◽  
Gabriele Nenci ◽  
Costanza Boccadori ◽  
Valerio Mangani ◽  
...  

We report the case of an 18-year-old woman who was referred to our outpatient clinic because of a 2-week history of sore throat, high fever, and neck tenderness unresponsive to a 7-day amoxicillin/clavulanic acid course. Infectious mononucleosis was initially suspected, but an extremely high value of procalcitonin and clinical deterioration suggested a bacterial sepsis, prompting the patient admission to our internal medicine ward. Blood cultures were positive for Fusobacterium necrophorum. CT scan detected a parapharyngeal abscess, a right internal jugular vein thrombosis, and multiple bilateral lung abscesses, suggesting the diagnosis of Lemierre’s syndrome. The patient was treated with a 2-week course of metronidazole and meropenem with a gradual clinical recovery. She was thereafter discharged home with metronidazole and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid for 14 days and a 3-month course of enoxaparin, experiencing an uneventful recovery. The present case highlights the importance of taking into consideration the Lemierre’s syndrome whenever a pharyngotonsillitis has a severe and unusual course.


Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (10) ◽  
pp. 1102
Author(s):  
Lucian Giubelan ◽  
Livia Dragonu ◽  
Vlad Pădureanu ◽  
Alexandru Neacșu ◽  
Mirela Mănescu ◽  
...  

Lemierre’s syndrome is, presently, a very rare condition, but a life-threatening one. The syndrome was first described in 1936 by Andre Lemierre and comprises an oropharyngeal infection (most commonly associated with anaerobic bacteria Fusobacterium necrophorum), internal jugular vein thrombophlebitis and, possibly, secondary septic metastasis (common sites are lungs or brain). We describe such a rare case diagnosed at our Infectious Diseases Department in September 2019.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 232470961989096
Author(s):  
Rolando A. Zamora Gonzalez ◽  
Juan C. Sarria ◽  
Nicole A. Christians ◽  
Michelle Baliss

Lemierre’s syndrome is an uncommon and potentially fatal complication of oropharyngeal and facial infections. It involves an associated septic thrombophlebitis, bacteremia, and septic emboli. Traditionally, compromise of the internal jugular vein has been described in conjunction with an infection caused by anaerobes, especially, Fusobacterium necrophorum. In recent years, however, variant forms have been appearing, including other vessel compromise and other etiologic agents. We present the case of Lemierre’s syndrome in a 31-year-old male with facial vein thrombosis, septic emboli to the lungs, and bacteremia caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. We hope that this case will raise awareness about variant presentations and promote a timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment of this potentially fatal infection.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Natasa Radovanovic ◽  
Igor Dumic ◽  
Mladjen Veselinovic ◽  
Susanne Burger ◽  
Tamara Milovanovic ◽  
...  

Liver abscess associated with suppurative portal vein thrombosis (pylephlebitis) secondary to Fusobacterium necrophorum has been rarely reported. It is considered to be an abdominal variant of Lemierre’s syndrome associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We report a case of 69-year-old man who developed liver abscess and pylephlebitis due to F. necrophorum with an unclear source of infection. We discuss the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment strategy for this entity, with a review of previously published cases of pyelephlebitis due to F. necrophorum in regard to their clinical presentation and outcome.


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