Lemierre Syndrome in Adolescent with Active Ulcerative Colitis

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Infectious Diseases
• Hematology

Background:

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a known risk factor for thrombotic events in adults, but data in pediatric populations are limited.
• Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are common thrombotic events in adults with IBD.
• Thrombosis in other sites, like jugular veins, is rare in IBD patients.

Observation:

• A case of Lemierre syndrome is presented in an adolescent female with active ulcerative colitis.
• This represents the first reported instance of severe Lemierre syndrome with cranial vein thrombus extension in an ulcerative colitis patient.
• The patient presented with rapidly worsening neck pain, fever, and pharyngitis symptoms.

Findings:

• Lemierre syndrome, a rare complication, can occur in pediatric IBD patients.
• Ulcerative colitis may be associated with an increased risk of severe thrombotic events, including Lemierre syndrome.
• Thrombus extension to cranial veins indicates a severe presentation of Lemierre syndrome.

Implications:

• Early recognition of Lemierre syndrome in pediatric IBD patients with specific symptoms is crucial for prompt diagnosis and treatment.
• Pediatricians must not underestimate the risk of thrombotic events in children with IBD.
• Identifying additional risk factors is vital for improving the prognosis of Lemierre syndrome in this population.