Lemierre’s Syndrome Associated with Mechanical Ventilation and Profound Deafness

Abstract

Lemierre's syndrome is a rare disorder that is characterized by anaerobic organisms inducing a thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein (IJV) following a course of oropharyngeal infection. It often occurs in young and healthy patients. Clinicians continuously misinterpret early symptoms until infection disseminates systematically and life-threatening sepsis transpires. We report the case of a 58-year-old female developing Lemierre's syndrome accompanied by invasive ventilation support and a profound deafness requiring the implementation of a cochlear implant. This is one of two reported cases of Lemierre's syndrome associated with mechanical ventilation support and the only case associated with a cochlear implant.

From urinary tract infection to cochlear implantation: A case report

“…Acute sensorineural hearing loss, leading to deafness and possibly into hearing rehabilitation via cochlear implant, can occur through several mechanisms. Severe infections and head trauma are among reported aetiologies [8][9][10][11][12]. The ramifications of such life-threatening infections are not only dire personal crises leading to often permanent disabilities, but also a major financial burden to the society in general [13].…”