Cavernous sinus thrombosis caused by -associated Lemierre syndrome presenting as an isolated abducens nerve palsy.

PURPOSE

To describe a patient with -associated Lemierre syndrome complicated by eventual cavernous sinus thrombosis (CST) that manifested as an isolated abducens nerve palsy.

OBSERVATIONS

A patient with a history of heavy alcohol use presented with Lemierre syndrome caused by an odontogenic infection due to . Despite initiation of intravenous antibiotics and eventual eradication of her bacteremia, she developed an isolated abducens nerve palsy on hospital day 7 due to associated CST.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE

CST is a rare complication of odontogenic infection and Lemierre syndrome. This case demonstrates the potential for primary odontogenic infections to progress to life- and sight-threatening diseases. This case also illustrates the importance of considering uncommon pathogens as the etiology of CST based on the suspected source of primary infection.