View source for Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome

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'''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.

Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome 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 [[oviduct]]s, causing infection and inflammation.  Occasionally, this inflammation can affect [[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. <!--Typically there is no elevation of Liver Function Tests-->

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

==References==
* Curtis AH. A cause of adhesion in the right upper quadrant. ''[[Journal of the American Medical Association|JAMA]]'' 1930;94:1221-122.
* Fitz-Hugh Jr T. Acute gonococcic peritonitis of the right upper quadrant in women. ''J Am Med Assoc'' 1934;102:2094-2096.

==External links==
* [http://www.whonamedit.com/synd.cfm/3324.html On the eponym]
* [http://www.chlamydiae.com/restricted/docs/infections/gentrac_perihep.asp chlamydiae.com description of Perihepatitis]

[[Category:Bacterial diseases]]
[[Category:Gynecology]]



[[de:Fitz-Hugh-Curtis-Syndrom]]
[[nl:Syndroom van Fitz-Hugh-Curtis]]
[[pl:Zespół Fitz-Hugha i Curtisa]]

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