Lemierre's syndrome: unusual cause of internal jugular vein thrombosis--a case report

Lemierre's syndrome is an uncommon septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein. The authors present the case of a 52-year-old woman with literature review. She developed flu-like symptoms and fever, and then painful swelling of the left side of her neck and left arm. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the neck revealed thrombosis in the left internal jugular vein, subclavian vein, and brachiocephalic vein and diffuse soft tissue inflammation around the veins. No microorganism was identified in the blood and venous thrombus, which was obtained by percutaneous aspiration thrombectomy. Systemic antibiotics and anticoagulation therapy achieved complete resolution of the symptoms. Recanalization of the thrombosed veins with no residual thrombi was observed on duplex scanning after 3 months. No pulmonary embolism or other metastatic infection was observed. Clinical suspicion seems to be essential to make an accurate diagnosis during the early stage of the disease, which is critical to obtain a successful outcome for Lemierre's syndrome.