Lemierre's syndrome presenting as multiple lung abscesses

Lemierre's syndrome is thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein (IJV), complicating an oropharingeal infection. The causative organism is Fusobacterium, an anaerobic bacillus, and the syndrome typically occurs in previously healthy teenagers and young adults. Thromboembolic metastases are a common sequela, and the lungs are the most frequently affected. We present a case of a 25-year-old woman, who presented with multiple lung abscesses, in whom IJV thrombophlebitis was subsequently noted. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.