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A case of blindness caused by Lemierre's syndrome

Authors :
Tensei Suzuki
Mitsuaki Kojima
Raira Nakamoto
Keiichi Kuriyama
Shu Tanizawa
Yuzuru Mochida
Yuri Asakura
Ayaka Shibano
Tomohisa Shoko
Source :
Clinical Case Reports, Vol 11, Iss 12, Pp n/a-n/a (2023)
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
Wiley, 2023.

Abstract

Key Clinical Message We describe a patient who lost her vision because of Lemierre's syndrome. Ophthalmologic complications of Lemierre's syndrome are rare, and very few cases have been reported. Clinicians need to recognize that it is a serious condition that can lead to blindness in some cases. Abstract Lemierre's syndrome is a systemic septic embolism resulting from thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein. We report a case of blindness caused by Lemierre's syndrome, despite prompt diagnosis and early treatment. A 36‐year‐old woman was transported to our hospital. She presented with fever, facial swelling, and right visual acuity deterioration. Contrast‐enhanced computed tomography revealed a retropharyngeal abscess and right internal jugular vein thrombosis. Blood culture revealed Fusobacterium necrophorum, suggesting Lemierre's syndrome. The patient had septic shock and disseminated intravascular coagulation. We diagnosed her visual impairment as orbital‐apex syndrome due to spread of inflammation. After 6 weeks of antimicrobial drug treatments, her general condition had improved, and the retropharyngeal abscess had disappeared. On Day 49 of her illness, she was transferred to a rehabilitation hospital, but her visual acuity was not restored. Clinicians should be aware that Lemierre's syndrome can, although rarely, cause blindness.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20500904 and 16654285
Volume :
11
Issue :
12
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Clinical Case Reports
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.7a16654285c24d7cbcd689fc8b0ab876
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1002/ccr3.8327