Lemierre's syndrome complicating deep neck abscess: a case report

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Otolaryngology
• Critical Care Medicine

Background:

• Lemierre's Syndrome is a severe oropharyngeal infection complication, typically caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum.
• Literature on Lemierre's Syndrome caused by Streptococcus anginosus, especially with deep neck space infection, is limited.
• This case presents the first report of Lemierre's Syndrome attributed to Streptococcus anginosus with a concurrent deep neck abscess.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of Lemierre's Syndrome caused by Streptococcus anginosus.
• To highlight the association between Streptococcus anginosus, deep neck abscess, and Lemierre's Syndrome.
• To emphasize the importance of recognizing and managing deep neck space infections.

Main Methods:

• A case presentation of a 53-year-old male with right neck pain and subsequent fever.
• Diagnostic procedures included laryngoscopy, imaging (revealing internal jugular vein thrombosis and neck abscess), and blood cultures.
• Treatment involved surgical drainage, antibiotics, and anticoagulant therapy.

Main Results:

• The patient was diagnosed with Lemierre's Syndrome due to Streptococcus anginosus infection.
• Imaging confirmed internal jugular vein thrombosis and a deep neck abscess.
• The patient showed satisfactory clinical progress following treatment and was discharged after 16 days.

Conclusions:

• Lemierre's Syndrome, though rare, necessitates prompt medical attention due to potential severe complications.
• Deep neck space infections pose life-threatening risks and require high clinical awareness.
• Early diagnosis and appropriate management are vital for favorable outcomes in Lemierre's Syndrome.