Lemierre's Syndrome on CT Scan

Lemierre's Syndrome is a constellation of signs involving the bacteria Fusobacterium necrophorum. The syndrome usually begins with tonsillitis that progresses to an infected clot in the adjacent jugular vein. Bits of the infected clot break off and spread throughout the body spreading the infection. If it gets bad enough, sepsis may occur.

Here is a CT scan showing the key sign of a clotted off jugular vein indicating Lemierre's syndrome (red arrow). A normal appearing jugular vein is indicated by the blue arrow.