A Unique Case of Lemierre Syndrome Associated with Thrombophilia in an Adult and the Role of Anticoagulation

Acute septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein (IJV), better known as Lemierre syndrome, is a rare entity which poses several challenges in management. Treatment involves prompt use of intravenous antibiotics over a prolonged period of time, typically 6–8 weeks. The use of anticoagulatio...

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Main Authors: Pradeep H. Lakshminarayana, Matthew E. Woodske
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2010-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Medicine
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2010/982494
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author Pradeep H. Lakshminarayana
Matthew E. Woodske
author_facet Pradeep H. Lakshminarayana
Matthew E. Woodske
author_sort Pradeep H. Lakshminarayana
collection DOAJ
description Acute septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein (IJV), better known as Lemierre syndrome, is a rare entity which poses several challenges in management. Treatment involves prompt use of intravenous antibiotics over a prolonged period of time, typically 6–8 weeks. The use of anticoagulation is controversial, but indicated for some. We describe the first reported case of Lemierre syndrome associated with a hypercoagulable state in an adult. We propose that all patients with Lemierre syndrome should be evaluated for hypercoagulable states and that the indications for anticoagulation in Lemierre syndrome are (1) propagation or nonresolution of IJV thrombus despite antibiotics and (2) identification of a hypercoagulable state, as in our case.
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spelling doaj-art-e08cecbceec64b3aa81066b62f196dff2025-02-03T01:03:24ZengWileyCase Reports in Medicine1687-96271687-96352010-01-01201010.1155/2010/982494982494A Unique Case of Lemierre Syndrome Associated with Thrombophilia in an Adult and the Role of AnticoagulationPradeep H. Lakshminarayana0Matthew E. Woodske1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, McKeesport, PA 15132, USADivision of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Montefiore University Hospital, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USAAcute septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein (IJV), better known as Lemierre syndrome, is a rare entity which poses several challenges in management. Treatment involves prompt use of intravenous antibiotics over a prolonged period of time, typically 6–8 weeks. The use of anticoagulation is controversial, but indicated for some. We describe the first reported case of Lemierre syndrome associated with a hypercoagulable state in an adult. We propose that all patients with Lemierre syndrome should be evaluated for hypercoagulable states and that the indications for anticoagulation in Lemierre syndrome are (1) propagation or nonresolution of IJV thrombus despite antibiotics and (2) identification of a hypercoagulable state, as in our case.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2010/982494
spellingShingle Pradeep H. Lakshminarayana
Matthew E. Woodske
A Unique Case of Lemierre Syndrome Associated with Thrombophilia in an Adult and the Role of Anticoagulation
Case Reports in Medicine
title A Unique Case of Lemierre Syndrome Associated with Thrombophilia in an Adult and the Role of Anticoagulation
title_full A Unique Case of Lemierre Syndrome Associated with Thrombophilia in an Adult and the Role of Anticoagulation
title_fullStr A Unique Case of Lemierre Syndrome Associated with Thrombophilia in an Adult and the Role of Anticoagulation
title_full_unstemmed A Unique Case of Lemierre Syndrome Associated with Thrombophilia in an Adult and the Role of Anticoagulation
title_short A Unique Case of Lemierre Syndrome Associated with Thrombophilia in an Adult and the Role of Anticoagulation
title_sort unique case of lemierre syndrome associated with thrombophilia in an adult and the role of anticoagulation
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2010/982494
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