Fitz-Hugh-Curtis Syndrome: A Diagnosis to Consider in a Woman with Right Upper Quadrant Abdominal Pain without Gallstones

Abstract

A young woman presented with right upper quadrant abdominal pain exacerbated by movement and breathing. Extensive evaluation revealed no gallstones or any other specific cause. Urine polymerase chain reaction results for Chlamydia trachomatis were positive, so the clinical diagnosis of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome was confirmed. This type of localized peritonitis is thought to be a complication of an ascending genital infection leading to pelvic inflammatory disease. The diagnosis is established on clinical grounds after excluding alternative, more common conditions. Proper antibiotic treatment usually leads to recovery and prevents long-term complications.

Learning points: Right upper quadrant pain in a sexually active woman may be due to Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome, a type of localized peritonitis also called perihepatitis.This condition is considered to be a complication of an ascending genital infection leading to pelvic inflammatory disease.Sexually active women with right upper quadrant abdominal pain without gallstones should be tested for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Keywords: Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome; Right upper quadrant abdominal pain; perihepatitis.

Figure 1

Abdominal ultrasonography