Clinical features of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis Syndrome in the emergency department.
OBJECTIVE
Fitz-Hugh-Curtis Syndrome (FHCS) is a clinical entity characterized by inflammation of the liver capsule associated with genital tract infection. The aim of this study is to provide physicians with clinical suggestions for diagnostic approaches based on a series of patients who were diagnosed with FHCS.


METHODS
We conducted a retrospective study of patients who were diagnosed with FHCS after presenting to the emergency department (ED). The symptoms, physical examinations, laboratory findings, radiological findings, and progress of the patients were reviewed.


RESULTS
During the four-year study period, a total of 82 female patients received a final diagnosis of FHCS in the ED. Chlamydia trachomatis was identified as a pathogen in 89% of the patients. Their clinical characteristics and laboratory findings were described. Fifty-two patients (63.4%) were admitted to the hospital. All of the admitted patients improved after treatment combining antibiotic therapy with conservative care.


CONCLUSIONS
FHCS should be considered as a differential diagnosis for female patients of childbearing age with right upper abdominal pain. Timely diagnosis using biphasic computed tomography (CT) with arterial and portal phases may help ensure adequate medical treatment as well as avoid invasive procedures.
Department of Emergency Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Je Sung
JS
You
Min Joung
MJ
Kim
Hyun Soo
HS
Chung
Yong Eun
YE
Chung
Incheol
I
Park
Sung Phil
SP
Chung
Seungho
S
Kim
Hahn Shick
HS
Lee
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000472:pathogenicity; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D000292:Pelvic Inflammatory Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D060737:Reproductive Tract Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents