급성 인두염후 발생한 레미에르 증후군 1예

Lemierre syndrome, also known as postanginal sepsis or necrobacillosis, is an illness that originates as an acute pharyngitis or tonsillitis which progresses to sepsis, usually fusobacterial, due to suppurative thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein. Septic thromboemboli then seed various organs, resulting in multiple organ system pathology, most commonly affecting pulmonary and hepatic systems and joints. This serious complication of oropharyngeal sepsis had a mortality rate in excess of 90 percent in the pre-antibiotic era. Although now rarely seen and often forgotten, it remains a potentially life-threatening condition. Prompt diagnosis based on clinical presentation, radiologic findings, particularly CT scanning with contrast and a high index of suspicion, is necessary in order to institute often life saving therapy. We report on a cases of Lemierre syndrome which showed deep neck infection, internal jugular vein thrombosis and pulmonary septic emboli. (J Clinical Otolaryngol 2007;18:237–240)