[A cervical necrotizing cellulitis revealing a Lemierre syndrome]

Lemierre syndrome is characterized by a septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein (IJV) following an oropharyngeal infection.

We report a case of Lemierre syndrome that occurred in a context of angina and necrotizing cellulitis of the neck in a 45-year-old patient. The Doppler ultrasound exam of the neck vessels and a neck CT showed an IJV thrombophlebitis. No germ could be isolated in the samples (blood culture, pus). The treatment associated antibiotics, heparin and surgical debridement of the necrotic tissues with extraction of the thrombus after ligation and section of the IJV. The postoperative course was uneventful.

Lemierre syndrome is a rare but serious disease. Its low incidence makes him a forgotten disease. It should be systematically suspected in any oropharyngeal infection with the presence of a large painful swelling of the neck.