Lemierre's syndrome caused by Streptococcus pyogenes in an elderly woman

Abstract

Lemierre's syndrome is characterized by septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein. It typically presents in healthy adolescents or young adults, usually preceded by an oropharyngeal infection, with the most common offending pathogen being Fusobacterium necrophorum. We present a case of Lemierre's syndrome in an elderly woman without antecedent oropharyngeal infection, caused by Streptococcus pyogenes. She was successfully treated with combined surgical and medical management. Keywords: Lemierre's syndrome, Streptococcus pyogenes, Septic thrombophlebitis, Internal jugular vein