Fitz–Hugh–Curtis syndrome (FHCS) is a rare disorder that occurs almost exclusively in women. It is characterized by inflammation of the membrane lining the stomach (peritoneum) and the tissues surrounding the liver (perihepatitis). The muscle that separates the stomach from the chest (diaphragm), which plays an essential role in breathing, may also be affected. The United States experiences 750,000 cases of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) each year. Fitz–Hugh–Curtis syndrome is an uncommon manifestation of PID involving around 4% of adolescents. Common symptoms include severe pain in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, fever, chills, headaches, and a general feeling of poor health (malaise). In some cases, antibiotic therapy may not provide relief of symptoms and a surgical procedure known as a laparotomy may be performed.
Shikino K, Ikusaka M. Fitz–Hugh–Curtis syndrome. BMJ Case Rep 2019;12(2):e229326. DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2019-229326.
Khine H, Wren SB, Rotenberg O, Goldman DL. Fitz-Hugh-Curtis Syndrome in Adolescent Females: A Diagnostic Dilemma. Pediatr Emerg Care 2019;35(7):e121–e123. DOI: 10.1097/PEC.00000000000 01525.
Kimball MW, Knee S. Gonococcal perihepatitis in a male. The Fitz–Hugh–Curtis syndrome. N Engl J Med 1970;282(19):1082–1084. DOI: 10.1056/NEJM197005072821908.
Peter NG, Clark LR, Jaeger JR. Fitz–Hugh–Curtis syndrome: A diagnosis to consider in women with right upper quadrant pain. Cleve Clin J Med 2004;71:233–239. DOI: 10.3949/ccjm.71.3.233.
Sonavane AD, Rathi PM. Fitz–Hugh–Curtis syndrome. Indian J Med Res 2017;145(1):147. DOI: 10.4103/ijmr.IJMR_1417_15.
Revzin MV, Mathur M, Dave HB, Macer ML, Spektor M. Pelvic inflammatory disease: Multimodality imaging approach with clinical–pathologic correlation. Radiographics. 2016;36(5):1579–1596. DOI: 10.1148/rg.2016150202.
You JS, Kim MJ, Chung HS, Chung YE, Park I, Chung SP, et al. Clinical features of Fitz–Hugh–Curtis syndrome in the emergency department. Yonsei Med J 2012;53(4):753–758. DOI: 10.3349/ymj.2012.53.4.753.
Onoh RC, Mgbafuru CC, Onubuogu SE, Ugwuoke I. Fitz–Hugh–Curtis syndrome: An incidental diagnostic finding in an infertility workup. Niger J Clin Pract 2016;19(6):834–836. DOI: 10.4103/1119-3077.181357.
MacLean AB. Fitz–Hugh–Curtis syndrome. J Obstet Gynaecol 2008;28(3):259–260. DOI: 10.1080/01443610802042993.
Stanley MM. Gonococcic peritonitis of the upper part of the abdomen in young women; (phrenic reaction, or subcostal syndrome of Stajano; Fitz–Hugh–Curtis syndrome); report of cases of three patients treated successfully with penicillin and a summary of the literature. Arch Internal Med 1946;78(1):1–3. DOI: 10.1001/archinte.1946.00220010011001.
Pickhardt PJ, Fleishman MJ, Fisher AJ. Fitz–Hugh–Curtis syndrome: multidetector CT findings of transient hepatic attenuation difference and gallbladder wall thickening. Am J Roentgenol 2003;180:1605–1606. DOI: 10.2214/ajr.180.6.1801605.
Wu HM, Lee CL, Yen CF, Wang CJ, Soong YK. Laparoscopic diagnosis and management of Fitz–Hugh–Curtis syndrome: Report of three cases. Chang Gung Med J 2001;24:388–392. PMID: 11512371.
Piscaglia F, Vidili G, Ugolini G, et al. Fitz–Hugh–Curtis syndrome mimicking acute cholecystitis: value of new ultrasound findings in the differential diagnosis. Ultraschall Med 2005;26(3):227–230. DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-858170.
Kazama I, Nakajima T. A case of Fitz–Hugh–Curtis syndrome complicated by appendicitis conservatively treated with antibiotics. Clin Med Insights Case Rep 2013;6:35–40. DOI: 10.4137/CCRep.S11522.
Brun JL, Castan B, de Barbeyrac B, Cazanave C, Charvériat A, Faure K, et al. Pelvic inflammatory diseases: Updated guidelines for clinical practice – short version. Gynecol Obstet Fertil Senol 2019;47(5): 398–403. DOI: 10.1016/j.gofs.2019.03.012.
Al-Ghassab RA, Tanveer S, Al-Lababidi NH, Zakaria HM, Al-Mulhim AA. Adhesive small bowel obstruction due to pelvic inflammatory disease: A case report. Saudi J Med Med Sci 2018;6(1):40–42. DOI: 10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_10_17.
