Correlation between Fitz Hugh Curtis syndrome and Chlamydia trachomatis in Southern Nigeria. a retrospective study.

Abstract

Fitz Hugh Curtis Syndrome also called perihepatitis, is a condition characterized by liver capsular inflammations which extends from pelvic inflammatory disease. It causes the presence of violin strings adhesion occurring between the outer surface of the liver and the inferior aspect of the diaphragm without involvement of the liver parenchymal. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between Fitz Hugh Curtis Syndrome and Chlamydia Trachomatis. This was a 24  months retrospective review conducted at Delta State University Teaching Hospital and Coastal Specialist Clnic both in warri, Delta State. All patients that had laparoscopic surgery for myomectomy, tubal patency assessment and diagnosis were recruited into the study. Diagnosis of Fitz Hugh Curtis syndrome was made at laparoscopy. The relationship between Fitz Hugh Curtis syndrome and Chlamydia trachomatis was determined by comparing patients who had Fitz Hugh Curtis Syndrome at laparoscopy and tested positive to Chlamydia Trachomatis infection. This study showed that half of the patients were nulliparous ladies. The most common presentation was upper right quadrant pain this accounted for 43.1%. The receiver-operating characteristic analysis/curve showed that Chlamydia positivity has an 88% sensitivity predictive value for determining the Fitz Hugh Curtis Syndrome. There was a positive correlation between the presence of Fitz Hugh Curtis Syndrome and Chlamydia infection.