Introduction: We describe here a case of a woman admitted to our Internal Medicine Unit for multifocal pneumonia. During the stay, she presented a few neurological symptoms: headache, nausea, emesis, photophobia, and gait disturbance.
Methodology: Chest computed tomography (CT) detected multiple areas interpreted as septic emboli. Moreover, a left internal jugular thrombosis (LIJT) was incidentally reported. A CT-angiography showed the LIJT extension to cerebral sinuses. Ear, nose, and throat consultation revealed a left medium otitis. Anticoagulation with Fondaparinux was associated to antibiotic therapy with improvement in neurological symptoms that totally remitted over the next 2 weeks.
Results: These findings confirmed the diagnosis of a Lemierre’s Syndrome with thrombosis extension to cerebral sinuses. The genetic thrombophilic panel showed a heterozygosis for prothrombin gene G20210A mutation and the patient was discharged with Rivaroxaban for home continuation of anticoagulant therapy for at least 6 months.
Conclusion: The prevalence of inherited thrombophilias in Lemierre’s Syndrome is unknown and to our knowledge, this article is the first to identify a prothrombin gene G20210A mutation in a patient with Lemierre’s Syndrome with thrombosis extension into the cerebral venous system. Exploring patients with Lemierre’s Syndrome for underlying thrombophilia could clarify whether this promotes retrograde jugular vein thrombosis extension.
Key words: Case report; Lemierre’s Syndrome; thrombophilia; cerebral vein thrombosis; DOACs.
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