[Lemierre's syndrome : the invisible threat behind a simple sore throat]

Lemierre's syndrome is a growing disorder that is little known in emergency department. However, its diagnosis can prevent from a fatal outcome. It is a septic venous thrombosis of the neck complicating an acute oropharyngeal infection, and can give rise to multiple septic emboli. It most often occurs among young, healthy patients in the aftermath of bacterial angina, a condition which is frequently encountered in daily practice. The aim of this article is to explain this syndrome to clinicians so that they know when to look for it, how to diagnose it and what its therapeutic implications are.