Lemierre's syndrome: the forgotten disease. An unusual presentation of sepsis

A 19-year-old girl presented with a septical condition with fever of 40 degrees C, swelling of the right sternocleidomastoid region and abdominal pain. Except for a sore throat with pain strictly localized to the right side of her neck and fever over the last week there were no other clues in her past medical history. An abdominal ultrasound and MRT scan as well as a chest X-ray only showed non-specific findings. The diagnosis of Lemierre's syndrome was established by ultrasonographical detection of right jugular venous thrombosis and perivascular inflammation together with blood cultures positive for Fusobacteria. The patient recovered within days after treatment was initiated with metronidazol according to the antibiogram. Lemierre's syndrome is a life-threatening disease especially in an age group which is less frequently affected by septicaemia. A history of sore throat, Fusobacterium positive blood cultures and ultrasonographical detection of jugular venous thrombophlebitis together with the knowledge of the "forgotten disease" will lead the way to the diagnosis.