Lemierre syndrome in an immunocompromised patient

Lemierre syndrome or septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein i s a potentially life-threatening complication. This condition may result fr om oropharyngeal infection, central venous catheterization, and intravenous drug abuse. Immunocompromised patients and individuals with systemic disea se are at higher risk of developing the syndrome. We present here a case of septic jugular vein thrombosis in an adolescent with systemic lupus erythe matosus. The etiological factors, pathogenesis, and diagnostic and therapeu tic measures are discussed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All righ ts reserved.