Cuffed-catheter-related Lemierre syndrome

Sepsis is a common problem in patients who have cuffed catheters for hemodialysis. Line sepsis, however, has not often been associated with septic thrombophlebitis as seen in Lemierre syndrome. Thrombophlebitis of a central vein associated with catheter placement is extremely rare and when encountered is known to affect the femoral or the subclavian vein. Thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein after hemodialysis catheter placement has not been reported. We present the case of a woman with line sepsis who developed Lemierre syndrome, a serious complication of which the medical community should be aware. Lemierre syndrome requires a high index of suspicion for diagnosis and can have a fatal outcome if not treated with appropriate antibiotics.