Anaerobic septicaemia by Fusobacterium necrophorum: Lemierre's syndrome.

Lemierre's syndrome is characterized by acute pharyngotonsillitis with secondary thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein which is complicated by multiple metastatic foci of infections. This syndrome is caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum in healthy young persons and is extremely rare in occurrence. A pre-school child with Lemierre's syndrome is reported. The diagnostic and therapeutic aspects are emphasized in order to sensitize physicians to this uncommon condition.