Lemierre's Syndrome Following Streptococcus anginosus Pharyngitis: An Unusual Case of a Forgotten Disease

Lemierre's syndrome is a rare complication of oropharyngeal infection characterized by septic thrombophlebitis in the internal jugular vein. Despite this being a common occurrence before the era of antibiotics, with beta-lactam antibiotic usage, this pathology has been a rare occurrence since the mid-1900s. Most cases are attributed to Fusobacterium bacteraemia. However, in this case report, we present a middle-aged patient diagnosed with Lemierre's syndrome secondary to an atypical pharyngeal infection of Streptococcus anginosus. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the neck visualized the internal jugular vein thrombus, aiding in the diagnosis of the condition. He further develops pulmonary complications from the dissemination of thrombus from the internal jugular vein. This case emphasizes the need for higher clinical suspicion to ensure timely management of the condition. Similarly, it demonstrated how a multidisciplinary approach and appropriate follow-up are crucial in the successful management of these patients. It also highlights the requirement for larger population-based studies to ensure definitive and evidence-based clinical guidelines to reduce the morbidity and mortality from this rare yet serious condition of Lemierre's syndrome.