Unusual radiological manifestations of Lemierre's syndrome: a case report

Lemierre's syndrome is an uncommon clinical entity characterized by oropharyngeal infection followed by septic thrombophlebitis of the jugular vein with embolization to the lungs and other organs. The organism is a gram-negative anaerobic bacterium, Fusobacterium necrophorum. We report a case of Lemierre's syndrome in an 8-year-old child who presented with septic arthritis of the left hip joint. Roentgenograms and computed tomography demonstrated gas in the joint and adjacent soft tissues, along with a dislocated hip. Sonography of the neck coupled with the colour Doppler technique did not reveal any abnormality in the jugular veins. A blood culture grew Fusobacterium necrophorum, confirming the diagnosis of Lemierre's syndrome.