Necrotizing fasciitis of the neck associated with Lemierre syndrome Fascite necrotizzante del collo associata a sindrome di Lemierre

SUMMARY Necrotizing fasciitis of the head and neck is a rare, life-threatening, soft tissue infection rapidly involving superfi cial fat and fascia with necrosis of the overlying skin. If septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein complicates a parapharyngeal abscess, the clinical condition is referred to as Lemierre syndrome, also known as post-anginal sepsis. A lethal case of necrotizing fasciitis of the neck is herewith reported that developed following tooth extraction and was complicated by thrombosis of the internal jugular vein and superior vena cava in an elderly diabetic patient.