Fusobacterium Septicemia Complicated by Cerebral Subdural and Epidural Empyemas: A Rare Case of Lemierre Syndrome

• Published in: The Journal of emergency medicine Vol. 43; no. 4; pp. 671 - 673
• Main Authors: Teng, Hao-Wen, Chen, Chia-Yuen, Chen, Huan-Chieh, Chung, Wen-Ting, Lee, Wen-Sen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.10.2012
• Subjects: Adolescent; Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use; Antibiotics; central nervous system; Craniotomy; Debridement; Emergency; Empyema - diagnostic imaging; Empyema - microbiology; Empyema - therapy; Empyema, Subdural - diagnostic imaging; Empyema, Subdural - microbiology; Empyema, Subdural - therapy; epidural empyema; Epidural Space - diagnostic imaging; Epidural Space - microbiology; Fusobacterium; Humans; internal jugular vein thrombophlebitis; Lemierre syndrome; Lemierre Syndrome - complications; Lemierre Syndrome - drug therapy; Male; Radiography; Sepsis - complications; subdural empyema; subdural empyema; internal jugular vein thrombophlebitis; Lemierre syndrome; epidural empyema; central nervous system
• ISSN: 0736-4679; 2352-5029
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2010.04.033

Lemierre syndrome is characterized by postanginal septicemia and internal jugular vein thrombophlebitis with secondary septic emboli, typically to the lungs. The central nervous system (CNS) is rarely involved. To present a case of Lemierre syndrome featuring cerebral subdural and epidural empyemas. This case report describes the case of a 17-year-old youth with cerebral subdural and epidural empyemas. The findings of chest computed tomography of the neck and the blood cultures were compatible with Lemierre syndrome. The patient recovered well after antibiotic treatment and surgical debridement. Lemierre syndrome can result in infection spreading to the CNS, including cerebral subdural and epidural empyemas. This disease entity should be included in the differential diagnoses of CNS bacterial infections.