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Lemierre's syndrome – an unusual complication of otitis externa in a young, healthy female

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 October 2014

N Davidoss ,
J F Ha ,
J R Anderson  and
S Rodrigues
N Davidoss*
Affiliation:
Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, Royal Perth Hospital, Western Australia, Australia
J F Ha
Affiliation:
Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, Royal Perth Hospital, Western Australia, Australia
J R Anderson
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Fremantle Hospital, Western Australia, Australia
S Rodrigues
Affiliation:
Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, Royal Perth Hospital, Western Australia, Australia
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Nishant Davidoss, Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, Royal Perth Hospital, Wellington Street Campus, 197 Wellington Street, Perth, WA 6000, Australia E-mail: Nishant.Davidoss@health.wa.gov.au
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Abstract

Background:

Lemierre's syndrome, which affects previously healthy, young adults, is a rare complication secondary to infections in the head and neck that result in septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein.

Method:

This paper reports a case of a young, healthy female with malignant otitis externa, which resulted in the development of Lemierre's syndrome. A review of the relevant literature was also carried out. This involved a search of the Medline database using multiple search terms including ‘Lemierre’, ‘septic thrombophlebitis’, ‘otitis externa’, ‘internal jugular vein thrombosis’ and ‘management’.

Results:

The patient presented with fever, left-sided otalgia, otorrhoea, neck swelling and pain. She was subsequently diagnosed with Lemierre's syndrome and managed accordingly.

Conclusion:

Lemierre's syndrome is a potentially fatal complication associated with significant morbidity. A high index of suspicion is required for prompt recognition and the early institution of treatment.

Keywords

Lemierre SyndromeThrombophlebitisOtitis ExternaJugular VeinThrombosisReviewDisease Management
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 129 , Issue S1 , January 2015 , pp. S60 - S62
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2014 

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Footnotes

Presented orally at the Australian Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (ASOHNS) 2013 Annual Scientific Meeting, 16–20 March 2013, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.

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