Lemierre’s syndrome: a case study with a short review of literature

Abstract

Objective and Importance: Lemierre’s syndrome (LS) is a rare condition that typically starts with a bacterial oropharyngeal infection complicated by a thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein and septic emboli to the lungs or other organs. The most common organism isolated is Fusobacterium necrophorum, although other causative organisms are isolated in rare cases.

Case presentation: We discuss a case of LS in a 44-year-old, previously healthy man presenting with an oropharyngeal infection. F. necrophorum was isolated from blood cultures and Computed tomography of the chest demonstrated septic emboli in the lungs. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a thrombophlebitis of the sigmoid and transverse vein with continuity to the internal jugular vein.

Methods: Case report and literature review.

Results: F. necrophorum isolates show in vitro susceptibility to metronidazole, clindamycin, beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations and carbapenems with no signs of resistance or reduced sensitivity. Anticoagulation is believed to play a favourable role in recovery of the disease because of the potential for faster resolution of thrombophlebitis and bacteraemia. Conflicting results exist in literature with many studies or reviews indicating a favourable outcome both with and without anticoagulation. Anticoagulation for LS consists in most cases of Warfarin or Low molecular weight heparins, with the last being the first choice in children. Indications for the use of anticoagulation in literature are significant clot burden, complication of septic emboli, arterial ischemic stroke, poor response to antibiotics, thrombophilia and cerebral infarction.

Conclusions: Antibiotics are considered the mainstay of treatment, although statistically valid trials to evaluate optimal treatment regimens have not yet been conducted due to the low incidence of the infection. The use of anticoagulation in LS is still heavily debated as a result of conflicting results in literature. Due to the disease’s low incidence, statistically valid trials that evaluate anticoagulation are lacking. Further prospective and randomized research is needed to establish the benefit of anticoagulation in the treatment of LS.

Keywords:

• Lemierre’s syndrome
• Fusobacterium necrophorum
• thrombophlebitis
• anticoagulation