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Updated: Aug 25, 2026

Modified Radical Neck Dissection for Cervical Metastasis
Published on: February 20, 2026
[Lemierre syndrome: thrombosis of the internal jugular vein after tonsillectomy]
1Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Universität Hamburg. sagowski@uke.uni-hamburg.de
Background:
Thrombosis of the internal jugular vein is a rare and critical disease which can also be a complication of a benign oropharyngeal infection (Lemierre syndrome).
Patient:
A 62 year old patient underwent septomplasty, endonasal turbinectomy, paranasal sinus surgery and tonsillectomy. The postoperative course was uneventful until the 11th post operative day when the patient reported a painful swelling on the right side of the neck. Color Doppler ultrasonography demonstrated thrombosis of the right internal jugular vein and a CT-scan showed a right sided cervical phlegmonous soft tissue inflammation originating from the right oropharynx. Despite immediate intravenous antibiotic treatment, the patient developed a septic infection and resection of the jugular vein was conducted.
Conclusion:
Lemierre syndrome is a rare condition which may also follow tonsillectomy. Under septic conditions, the resection of the internal jugular vein has to be performed to avoid serious complications.
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