Precipitating infections:
(1) oropharyngeal infection (dental abscess, tonsillitis, etc.)
(2) internal jugular vein catheterization
(3) cellulitis or necrotizing fasciitis of the neck
(4) associated with injection drug use
(5) Epstein-Barr virus infection in young adults
Pathogens: anaerobic bacteria (often with Fusobacterium species, especially Fusobacterium necrophorum); may involve mixed aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.
Symptoms and signs:
(1) spiking fever
(2) pain and stiffness/rigidity in the neck
(3) swelling along the angle of the jaw and sternocleidomastoid muscle
(4) dysphagia
(5) "cord sign" (from palpable thrombosis)
(6) leukocytosis
(7) superior vena cava syndrome
Imaging studies: jugular vein thrombosis, sometimes with air-fluid levels
Complications:
(1) involvement of the adjacent carotid artery
(2) suppurative embolic lesions to the lung
(3) sepsis
(4) metastatic abscesses
