Perihepatitis associated with pelvic infection: the Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome

Once regarded as rare, acute perihepatitis associated with pelvic inflammatory disease or Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome is being diagnosed with increasing frequency. At Waikato Hospital, Hamilton in recent months 16 cases of perihepatitis have been identified, of which 12 were confirmed by laparoscopy, one at laparotomy, and one by post mortem examination. The other two were diagnosed on clinical and laboratory criteria. Neisseria infection was demonstrated in one case only. It is suggested that perihepatitis is not as rare as was hitherto believed and taught, and that the more widespread use of the laparoscope as a diagnostic tool would confirm this.