Lemierre Syndrome : An Unusual Complication of Tongue Cancer

Abstract

61 Lemierre syndrome (LS) is a rare and life-threatening complication of oropharyngeal infections1. Its incidence ranges between 0.6 and 2.3 cases per million, and carries a mortality rate of 4% to 18%1,2. Typically, LS includes pharyngotonsillitis or peritonsillar abscess, septicemia related to anaerobic bacteria and internal jugular vein thrombosis2,3. Previous case series reported that Lemierre syndrome could also be induced by other oropharyngeal infections, such as mastoiditis or dental infection4,5.