Mandibular osteomyelitis and Lemierre's syndrome following third molar extraction in a young adult – A case report

Abstract

Lemierre's syndrome is a rare condition that involves septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein (IJV) most commonly as a complication of oropharyngeal bacterial infections. It is even more rare in association with infection following third molar extraction. A 17-year-old male developed septic osteomyelitis with Moraxella osloensis bacteremia and Lemierre's syndrome resulting in complete occlusion of the IJV following routine third molar extraction. The patient required urgent operative debridement of the mandible as well as long-term antibiotics to treat the osteomyelitis and anticoagulant therapy to treat the IJV occlusion. The patient made a complete recovery. Clinicians should be aware that Lemierre's syndrome can complicate mandibular osteomyelitis.