Curtis-Fitz-Hugh syndrome: the new mimicking disease?

Seven cases of the Curtis-Fitz-Hugh syndrome diagnosed over a six month period are reviewed with particular reference to the widely ranging modes of presentation. All presented as acute surgical emergencies but unlike other series, right upper quadrant pain was the presenting symptom in only one case. Right upper quadrant pain nonetheless, featured to a variable extent in all cases, being relatively shortlived in three. Conditions mimicked included left renal colic, acute appendicitis, pulmonary embolism, acute cholecystitis, chronic cholecystitis and urinary tract infection. In five cases symptoms dated back to a difficult or complicated termination of pregnancy and in one case a hysterectomy had been performed twelve years previously at which time the patient had documented evidence of pelvic inflammation. Diagnosis was made laparoscopically and all symptoms responded satisfactorily to a four week course of tetracycline.