An atypical presentation of the Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome

We present an unusual case of the Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome as manifested in a young woman with right upper quadrant pain. The presentation was atypical and misleading because of the presence of a colonic ileus and the lack of salpingitis by pelvic exam. Diagnosis was made by exclusion of other abdominal disease processes, the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis antibody from a cervical specimen, and a dramatic response to appropriate antibiotic therapy.