Emergency Department Point-of-care Ultrasound Identification of Suspected Lemierre's Syndrome: A Case Report.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Lemierre's syndrome is septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein, most commonly associated with head and neck infections. While central catheters are associated with venous thromboembolism and catheter-associated bacterial infections, cases of Lemierre's syndrome caused by central catheters are extraordinarily rare.

CASE REPORT:

We detail a case of Lemierre's syndrome resulting from a peripherally inserted central catheter in a pregnant female patient. Diagnosis of this rare and potentially life-threatening disease process was expedited using point-of-care ultrasound.

CONCLUSION:

Diagnosis of rare but potentially life- or limb-threatening pathologies is paramount to the successful practice of emergency medicine. Identifying these rare disease processes requires a high index of suspicion and a work-up strategy that includes consideration of medical history in combination with lab and imaging findings to determine appropriate interventions.

• Authors: Paul Craven, Bradley End, Peter Griffin
• Journal: Clinical practice and cases in emergency medicine (Clin Pract Cases Emerg Med) Vol. 7 Issue 3 Pg. 172-174 (Aug 2023) ISSN: 2474-252X [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 37595317 (Publication Type: Journal Article)