Abstract
Background
Lemierre syndrome is characterized by postanginal septicemia and internal jugular
vein thrombophlebitis with secondary septic emboli, typically to the lungs. The central
nervous system (CNS) is rarely involved.
Objective
To present a case of Lemierre syndrome featuring cerebral subdural and epidural empyemas.
Case Report
This case report describes the case of a 17-year-old youth with cerebral subdural
and epidural empyemas. The findings of chest computed tomography of the neck and the
blood cultures were compatible with Lemierre syndrome. The patient recovered well
after antibiotic treatment and surgical debridement.
Conclusion
Lemierre syndrome can result in infection spreading to the CNS, including cerebral
subdural and epidural empyemas. This disease entity should be included in the differential
diagnoses of CNS bacterial infections.
Keywords
To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
Purchase one-time access:
Academic & Personal: 24 hour online accessCorporate R&D Professionals: 24 hour online accessOne-time access price info
- For academic or personal research use, select 'Academic and Personal'
- For corporate R&D use, select 'Corporate R&D Professionals'
Subscribe:
Subscribe to Journal of Emergency MedicineAlready a print subscriber? Claim online access
Already an online subscriber? Sign in
Register: Create an account
Institutional Access: Sign in to ScienceDirect
References
- On certain septicaemias due to anaerobic organisms.Lancet. 1936; 227: 701-703
- Lemierre Syndrome associated with dental infections. Report of one case and review of the literature.Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2007; 12: E394-E396
- The evolution of Lemierre syndrome: report of 2 cases and review of the literature.Medicine (Baltimore). 2002; 81: 458-465
- Lemierre syndrome complicated by cavernous sinus thrombosis, the development of subdural empyemas, and internal carotid artery narrowing without cerebral infarction. Case report.J Neurosurg. 2007; 106: 53-56
- Cerebral infarct and meningitis secondary to Lemierre's syndrome.Pediatr Neurol. 2004; 30: 281-283
- Cerebral infarctions and brain abscess due to Lemierre syndrome.Intern Med. 2005; 44: 653-656
- Neurological picture. Horner syndrome due to jugular vein thrombosis (Lemierre syndrome).J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2008; 79: 293
Article info
Publication history
Published online: June 21, 2010
Accepted:
April 7,
2010
Received in revised form:
January 5,
2010
Received:
October 20,
2009
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.