J Laryngol Otol. 1995 Jul;109(7):657-61. doi: 10.1017/s0022215100130956.

Lemierre syndrome--a forgotten complication of acute tonsillitis.

The Journal of laryngology and otology

C B Koay, T Heyworth, P Burden

PMID: 7561477 DOI: 10.1017/s0022215100130956

Abstract

Lemierre syndrome, also known as postanginal sepsis, is an illness characterized by the development of a fusobacterial septicaemia with multiple metastatic foci following an attack of acute tonsillitis. It typically affects previously healthy adolescents and young adults who, following an attack of sore throat, become acutely ill with hyperpyrexia, rigors and multiple metastatic abscesses. The clinical picture tends to vary widely because of the possible involvement of a number of body systems and organs in the disease process. This serious complication of oropharyngeal sepsis had a mortality rate in excess of 90 per cent in the pre-antibiotic era. Although now rarely seen and often forgotten, it remains a potentially life-threatening condition. We present four cases of post-tonsillitis fusobacterial septicaemia to illustrate the variability of the clinical presentation and stormy clinical course frequently associated with this rare syndrome.

MeSH terms

• Acute Disease
• Adolescent
• Adult
• Bacteremia / complications
• Female
• Fusobacterium Infections / complications
• Fusobacterium necrophorum*
• Humans
• Infant
• Male
• Syndrome
• Tonsillitis / complications

Publication Types

• Case Reports
• Journal Article