Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome is a rare complication of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) named after the two physicians, Fitz-Hugh and Curtis who first reported this condition in 1934 and 1930 respectively.

Presentation

Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome occurs almost exclusively in women. It is usually caused by gonorrhoea (acute gonococcal perihepatitis) or chlamydia bacteria, which cause a thinning of cervical mucous and allow bacteria from the vagina into the uterus and oviducts, causing infection and inflammation. Occasionally, this inflammation can cause scar tissue to form on Glisson's capsule, a thin layer of connective tissue surrounding the liver.

The signs are an acute onset, upper right-quadrant abdominal pain and tenderness aggravated by breathing, coughing or movement, and referred to the right shoulder following an episode of PID. Laparoscopy may reveal "violin string" adhesions.

Treatment

Treatment involves diagnosing and treating the underlying cause correctly. The adhesions can be cut laparoscopically.

References

External links

• chlamydiae.com description of Perihepatitis