Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm in Lemierre's syndrome: a case report

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Radiology

Background:

• Lemierre's syndrome involves oropharyngeal infection, bacteremia, thrombophlebitis, and septic emboli.
• Septic emboli can cause Type 2 myocardial infarction.
• Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm is a rare but significant complication.

Observation:

• A 19-year-old male presented with confusion, fever, and cough, diagnosed with Fusobacterium necrophorum bacteremia and pneumonia.
• The patient developed septic emboli, myocardial injury, and a pericardial effusion.
• Post-operative imaging revealed a left ventricular pseudoaneurysm.

Findings:

• This is the first reported case of left ventricular pseudoaneurysm complicating Lemierre's syndrome.
• Multimodality imaging (TTE, CT) was crucial for diagnosis and complication identification.
• Surgical repair of the pseudoaneurysm and antibiotic treatment led to recovery.

Implications:

• Highlights the potential for rare cardiac complications in Lemierre's syndrome.
• Emphasizes the critical role of serial, multimodality imaging in diagnosing and managing complex cases.
• Underscores the necessity of a multidisciplinary team approach for rare disease presentations.