Comparison between Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome and uncomplicated pelvic inflammatory disease

Abstract

ObjectiveTo compare the clinical characteristics, hematologic findings, microbiologic results of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome (FHCS) to uncomplicated pelvic infl ammatory disease (PID). MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 41 patients of FHCS and 52 patients of uncomplicated PID in Myongji Hospital from January 2007 to August 2011. Between the two groups, we compared clinical manifestations, physical examination fi ndings, hematologic fi ndings, microbiologic study fi ndings, abdomen and pelvic computed tomography. ResultsFHCS accounted for 14.3% of total cases of pelvic infl ammatory disease at our medical institution. Patients of both groups visited with a chief complaint of abdominal pain. The most common symptom was the right upper quadrant (RUQ) pain (78.0%) in the FHCS group and the pelvic pain (75%) in the uncomplicated PID group. The incidence of pelvic organ tenderness and cervical motion tenderness was lower in the FHCS group as compared with the uncomplicated PID group. FHCS group was associated with signifi cantly higher C-reactive protein level in comparison to that of uncomplicated PID group (P = 0.0175). In addition, higher incidence of chlamydial infection was noted in FHCS group. ConclusionThe typical signs of PID were not evident in some cases of FHCS. A gynecologic approach would therefore be mandatory for further evaluation and treatment in women who visited with a chief complaint of the acute RUQ pain. Keywords