A rare, but life-threatening sore throat: A case of Lemierre’s syndrome

A rare, but life-threatening sore throat: A case of Lemierre’s syndrome

We present the case of a previously healthy, immunocompetent male with Lemierre’s Syndrome. He presented with headache, sore throat and pyrexia. Initial blood tests revealed raised inflammatory markers and electrolyte abnormalities. Blood cultured Fusobacterium necrophorum. He developed respiratory distress and imaging confirmed lung abscess and empyema due to septic emboli. He required surgical drainage and a prolonged course of antibiotics. This case highlights the rare, but life-threatening condition of Lemierre’s Syndrome. We discuss the importance of prompt recognition and early antibiotic therapy.

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A rare, but life-threatening sore throat: A case of Lemierre’s syndrome

12th May 2021
PMID: 33749697
Authors Affiliations
A McCleane Acute Medicine Unit, Wards 7B and 7C, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast
M Hunter Department of Infectious Diseases, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast
PC Johnston Acute Medicine Unit, Wards 7B and 7C, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast
M Trimble Acute Medicine Unit, Wards 7B and 7C, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast
J Malloy Department of Radiology, Imaging Centre, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast
IR Wallace Acute Medicine Unit, Wards 7B and 7C, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast

A rare, but life-threatening sore throat: A case of Lemierre’s syndrome

Cite this article as:

McCleane A, Hunter M, Johnston PC, Trimble M, Malloy J, Wallace IR. A rare, but life-threatening sore throat: A case of Lemierre's syndrome. Acute Med. 2021;20(1):78-82. PMID: 33749697.

A rare, but life-threatening sore throat: A case of Lemierre’s syndrome

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