Lemierre's Syndrome: A Case Report

Lemierre's syndrome is a condition in which an oropharyngeal infection progresses to sepsis and thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein. Although the incidence of this syndrome has fallen dramatically since the widespread use of antibiotic therapy to treat streptococcal pharyngitis, it should still be suspected in otherwise healthy young patients presenting with the triad of prolonged pharyngitis, lateral neck pain, and septic symptoms. In this report, we explore a unique case of Lemierre's syndrome complicated by hypercoagulability and ineffective initial antibiotic therapy.