A Lemierre syndrome variant caused by Staphylococcus aureus

Lemierre syndrome is a rare clinical entity, characterized by thrombosis of the internal jugular vein that develops after an oropharyngeal infection. We report the case of a 22-year-old woman hospitalized initially for cellulitis of the face. In view of the aggravation of the clinical state (septic shock and multiple organ failure), a computed tomography of the neck was performed and revealed a thrombosis of the right internal and external jugular veins. The patient was treated with antibiotics, heparin, and by a surgical excision for the vascular lesions associated with ligation of jugular veins. The patient completely recovered from her infection.