Bilateral lemierre syndrome secondary to periodontitis: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND

Lemierre syndrome is the typical presentation of human necrobacillosis. It is characterized by an initial infection, progressing to septic thrombophlebitis, septicemia, and multisystem embolic necrotic abscesses. It is usually caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum, but its pathophysiology remains obscure. A case of bilateral Lemierre syndrome secondary to periodontitis is reported.

METHODS

A previously healthy 24-year-old African American man presented with a 2-week history of fever, chills, dyspnea, abdominal pain and vomiting, nonbloody diarrhea, anorexia, and body aches. He occasionally smoked marijuana but had no pets, and denied sick contact or recent travel. Physical examination was remarkable for tachypnea, tachycardia, pyrexia, icteric sclera, dry oral mucosa, moderate-to-severe gingival inflammation, and dental caries involving the upper and lower molars. The oropharynx was clear. He had tenderness over the sternocleidomastoid muscles bilaterally, and nontender cervical lymphadenopathy. Chest examination revealed reduced breath sounds in both bases with fine crackles at the right base. Examination of the cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems was significant for tenderness in the right upper quadrant with no rebound. Laboratory findings were significant for leukocytosis with a left shift, anemia, abnormal liver function tests, elevated creatine phosphokinase, and positive blood culture for F. necrophorum. Chest radiographs and computed tomography scans revealed multilobar cavitary nodular densities with pleural effusions. Duplex sonography of the neck demonstrated thrombosed left internal jugular vein with complete occlusion of the lumen, thrombosed left subclavian, and axillary veins with minimal blood flow. There was also a small thrombus in both the right internal jugular and right subclavian veins with partial occlusion of their lumina. He was prescribed penicillin, metronidazole, and anticoagulation therapy and had complete resolution of the lung lesions and marginal improvement of the bilateral neck thrombophlebitis. He was awaiting dental procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

A case is reported of extensive bilateral septic thrombophlebitis of the deep neck veins secondary to periodontal disease. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first case of bilateral Lemierre syndrome due to periodontal disease reported in the literature. It highlights the typical septic thrombophlebitis of Lemierre syndrome and its protean manifestations, such as hepatitis and rhabdomyolysis. This presentation also underscores the significance of thorough dental examinations in febrile patients. With respect to anticoagulation therapy in Lemierre syndrome, though still not established, there is some evidence of utility with no untoward effects.