SEPTIC PULMONARY EMBOLI COMPLICATING MASTOIDITIS - LEMIERRES SYNDROMEREVISITED

Deep neck-space infections may cause potentially life-threatening comp lications of head and neck infections. Lateral pharyngeal space infect ions in particular predispose to development of suppurative jugular ve in thrombosis, which may be associated with anaerobic bacteremia and s eptic pulmonary emboli (Lemierre's syndrome). We describe a case of Le mierre's syndrome, a very rare entity in the antibiotic era, complicat ing mastoiditis. Surgical debridement and drainage in conjunction with antibiotic therapy resulted in prompt improvement in the patient's co ndition.