Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome is a rare complication of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). Named after Dr. Fitz-Hugh and Dr. Curtis who first reported this condition.
Usually caused by gonorrhoea (acute gonococcal perihepatitis) or chlamydia organisms, this occurs when these bacteria travel up the peritoneum to the upper abdomen and cause inflammation there.
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. "violin string" adhesions are seen on laparoscopy.
Treatment is to treat the underlying cause and to cut the adhesions laparoscopically.