Welcome to PICU Doc On Call, A Podcast Dedicated to Current and Aspiring Intensivists.

I'm Pradip Kamat coming to you from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta/Emory University School of Medicine

and I'm Rahul Damania from Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital and we are two Pediatric ICU physicians passionate about all things MED-ED in the PICU. PICU Doc on Call focuses on interesting PICU cases & management in the acute care pediatric setting so let’s get into our episode:

Welcome to our Episode an 18 -year old with sore throat, and unilateral L-sided neck pain for ~2 weeks.

Here's the case presented by Rahul:

An 18-year-old female presents to the ED with cough, fever, fatigue, sore throat, and unilateral L-sided neck pain for ~2 weeks. The patient also has been having non-specific chest pain, weight loss, and decreased appetite for ~ 1 month.

Patient has no recent travel h/o, no h/o of vaping or illicit drug use, and there were no sick contacts at home. Vitals revealed an HR 105, BP 116/66, Temp 38.3, and respiratory rate 35, She was 65 Kg and SPO2 on 2L NC was 100%. Physical exam was negative except (L) neck tender to palpation. There was no goiter, lymphadenopathy or hepatosplenomegaly.

An initial chest x-ray was significant for possible multi-lobar pneumonia versus metastases. A Chest CT revealed multifocal septic emboli in the lungs. Echo did not show any gross vegetation. She has no rash or any trauma to the neck or difficulty swallowing, no oral ulcers, joint pain, or diarrhea. She had no recent dental work or drinking of unpasteurized milk or eating raw fish or meat. She was admitted to the PICU as she had hypotension requiring fluid boluses, and lab works significant for hyponatremia, rhabdomyolysis, worsening AKI, elevated ferritin, and elevated D-dimer. Her serum uric acid was 9.9, LDH = 230 (normal) ,ESR 78 (normal = 20 or less). Her serum lactate and serum troponin and BNP were all normal. Pertinently, US neck revealed an occlusive thrombus in the (L) IJ vein (done so as to avoid contrast in face of AKI), and blood cultures sent.

To summarize key elements from this case, this 18-year-old female presents with

fever +cough+sore throat
Fatigue + Weight loss
(L) neck pain
Hypotension with abnormal labs including a concerning WBC with (L) shift, anemia, AKI, elevated uric acid, and ESR
Chest CT with possible pulmonary emboli
US showing occlusion.
All of which brings up a concern for possible malignancy or pulmonary emboli from a septic focus in the neck and a possible diagnosis of Lemierre syndrome
This episode will be organized…
Definition
Diagnosis (physical, laboratory)
Management
Rahul: What is the definition of Lemierre’s syndrome?
Lemierre’s syndrome, also known as post-anginal septicemia or necrobacillosis, is characterized by bacteremia, internal jugular vein thrombophlebitis, and metastatic septic emboli secondary to acute pharyngeal infections. All of which are seen in our above case presentation. Previously called as the forgotten disease as its incidence was decreasing due to the increasing use of antibiotics especially penicillin for URI. However, recently there is an increase in Lemierre’s disease cases with decreased use of antibiotics due to antibiotic stewardship. The recent increase in Lemierre disease due to decreased antibiotic use has not been proven and remain controversial.
Rahul what are some of the causative organisms of Lemierre syndrome?
The most common causative agent of Lemierre’s syndrome is Fusobacterium necrophorum, followed by Fusobacterium nucleatum and anaerobic bacteria such as streptococci, staphylococci, and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Rahul: Can you tell our listeners about the pathophysiology of Lemierre’s syndrome?
Lemierre syndrome can occur...

Lemierre’s Syndrome

PICU Doc On Call