Lemierre syndrome: the forgotten disease—a case series

Abstract

Background The aim of this work is to share the authors’ experience and assist therapeutic decision-making in the management of Lemierre syndrome (LS). This is a retrospective descriptive study carried out in the stomatology, maxillofacial surgery, and ENT departments of the teaching hospital of Treichville (Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire). LS cases managed from 2013 to 2023 were included in the study. Results Eight patients were enrolled (six men and two women). Internal jugular vein thrombosis was unilateral in 7 cases and bilateral in one. No germs were found in four patients. In one patient, a bacterial co-infection was responsible for the thrombosis. Surgical debridement was systematically performed in cases of necrosis. Anticoagulation was justified in three patients. No deaths were observed. Conclusion This work describes the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic, and evolutionary aspects of LS. The management of LS should not be improvised. The choice of surgical debridement and anticoagulation depends on specific situations.