Postanginal septicaemia with external jugular venous thrombosis: case report

Postanginal septicaemia is a syndrome of anaerobic septicaemia, septic thro mbophlebitis of the internal jugular vein, and metastatic infections, that follows a localized infection in the area drained by the large cervical vei ns. The syndrome was well-known and often fatal in the preantibiotic era, I t is now rather rare, presumably as a result of the almost routine use of p rophylactic antibiotics. The symptoms are classic, and it should be suspect ed in any case where septicaemia and metastatic lesions are preceded by a h ead and neck infection. We report a case that is typical, except that branc hes of the external jugular vein were thrombosed, To our knowledge this has not been reported previously.