Lemierre’s Syndrome: A Complication of Cervicofacial Cellulitis in a Child

Abstract

Introduction: Lemierre’s syndrome complicates oropharyngeal infection and associates septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein with sepsis and distant septic emboli (especially pulmonary). We report a pediatric case with thrombophlebitis of the jugular vein in the context of cervicofacial cellulitis. Summary of the Clinical Case: A 2-year-old girl consulted in the emergency room for angina complicated by right cervicofacial cellulitis with thrombosis of the right jugular vein. The diagnosis of atypical Lemierre syndrome was made and the patient received first medical treatment (antibiotic therapy, anticoagulation) allowing a cure without sequelae. And secondary surgical treatment (adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy). Discussion: The presence of a cervical venous thrombosis complicating an oropharyngeal infection should lead to a search for Lemierre’s syndrome (blood cultures and chest CT) rare but serious and require immediate treatment