Publication:

The challenges of a Lemierre’s syndrome in COVID-19 times

Lemierre’s syndrome is a type of necrotizing fasciitis of the head and neck that is an uncommon rapidly spreading infection involving the skin, subcutaneous tissue and the fascia leading to life-threatening complications like septicaemia, bone marrow suppression, disseminated intravascular coagulation and multi-organ failure. The management of this disease, especially in COVID-19 pandemic is a challenge as it is associated with high morbidity. A 46-year-old male presented to us with complaints of swelling in the neck with discoloration of skin in the neck and chest. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the neck revealed thrombosis of the right internal jugular vein (IJV) and diffuse abscesses on both sides of the neck. A high index of suspicion is required for the diagnosis of Lemierre’s syndrome in the absence of typical clinical features. The rapid, unpredictable dissemination of infection and occult thrombus within the IJV make both diagnosis and management a challenge especially, during COVID-19 times.