Lemierre syndrome: the forgotten disease

Abstract

Lemierre syndrome is characterized by an acute oropharyngeal infection, suppurative thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein, anaerobic sepsis, and metastatic infections. Before the discovery of antibiotics, this disease usually was fatal. We report the case of a patient with all of these findings, indicating that Lemierre syndrome still is seen today. Prompt recognition, abscess drainage, and appropriate antibiotic coverage result in complete recovery in most patients.