[Lemierre syndrome: thrombosis of the internal jugular vein after tonsillectomy].

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Thrombosis of the internal jugular vein is a rare and critical disease which can also be a complication of a benign oropharyngeal infection (Lemierre syndrome).

PATIENT:

A 62 year old patient underwent septomplasty, endonasal turbinectomy, paranasal sinus surgery and tonsillectomy. The postoperative course was uneventful until the 11th post operative day when the patient reported a painful swelling on the right side of the neck. Color Doppler ultrasonography demonstrated thrombosis of the right internal jugular vein and a CT-scan showed a right sided cervical phlegmonous soft tissue inflammation originating from the right oropharynx. Despite immediate intravenous antibiotic treatment, the patient developed a septic infection and resection of the jugular vein was conducted.

CONCLUSION:

Lemierre syndrome is a rare condition which may also follow tonsillectomy. Under septic conditions, the resection of the internal jugular vein has to be performed to avoid serious complications.

• Authors: C Sagowski, U Koch
• Journal: HNO (HNO) Vol. 52 Issue 3 Pg. 251-4 (Mar 2004) ISSN: 0017-6192 [Print] Germany
• Vernacular Title: Lemierre-Syndrom. Septische Jugularvenenthrombose nach Tonsillektomie.
• PMID: 15007520 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Topics

• Diagnosis, Differential
• Humans
• Hyperplasia (pathology, surgery)
• Jugular Veins (pathology, surgery)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Palatine Tonsil (pathology)
• Postoperative Complications (diagnosis)
• Reoperation
• Sleep Apnea Syndromes (etiology, surgery)
• Staphylococcal Infections (diagnosis, surgery)
• Surgical Wound Infection (diagnosis, surgery)
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• Tonsillectomy
• Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
• Venous Thrombosis (diagnosis, surgery)