FDG-PET/CT as a New Method for Diagnosis and Whole-Body Evaluation of Lemierre Syndrome

Clin Nucl Med. 2017 Aug;42(8):e377-e380. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000001708.

Abstract

Lemierre syndrome is a rare disease that is defined by a pharyngeal infection, complicated by septicemia and internal jugular vein thrombosis followed by septic emboli. Because of its rarity, a delay in diagnosis is not uncommon. However, given the mortality rate of approximately 2%, prompt diagnosis and detection of septic emboli are essential to initiate prompt treatment, preventing organ damage and ongoing sepsis. We present 3 cases that demonstrate the value of FDG-PET/CT as a possible alternative or adjunct to conventional imaging methods for diagnosis and whole-body evaluation of Lemierre syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Humans
  • Lemierre Syndrome / complications
  • Lemierre Syndrome / diagnostic imaging*
  • Lemierre Syndrome / therapy
  • Male
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography*
  • Sepsis / complications
  • Venous Thrombosis / complications