Lemierre syndrome leading to an ischaemic stroke and malignant cerebral oedema

Abstract

Lemierre syndrome is an often misdiagnosed disease caused by an anaerobic bacterial infection that produces thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein and septic metastasis to distal organs, especially the lungs. Carotid stenosis or thrombosis is a rare complication. We present a patient with Lemierre syndrome who developed malignant cerebral oedema secondary to an ischaemic stroke which required a decompressive craniectomy.

Keywords: coma and raised intracranial pressure; neuro ITU; neuroimaging; neurosurgery; otolaryngology / ENT.