Incomplete Lemierre syndrome

Abstract

An invasive Fusobacterium infection may originate from an apparent routine pharyngitis and lead to significant distant septic complications. Even without internal jugular thrombosis, the same mechanism of disease exists, and therefore, the same morbidity, prognosis, and treatments are applicable, hence the suitable term incomplete Lemierre syndrome. We present a case of invasive Fusobacterium infection that meets all criteria for Lemierre syndrome except lacking internal jugular thrombosis. A review of the literature that forms the diagnostic criteria for this syndrome and the rationale for our creating this novel term is presented.