Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome (FHCS) is characterized by perihepatitis in patients with pelvic inflammatory disease. Hepatic capsular enhancement in arterial phase of abdominal computed tomography (CT) is usually required for definite diagnosis. The objective of this study was to assess clinical significance of intensity of hepatic capsular enhancement in CT of patients with FHCS. Methods: A total of 86 patients who had hepatic capsular enhancement in CT due to FHCS were retrospectively enrolled. The hepatic capsular enhancement was divided into three patterns according to the intensity of enhancement by an expert radiologist: A, partial weak enhancement; B, partial strong or diffuse weak enhancement; and C, diffuse strong enhancement. Other clinical and laboratory parameters such as duration of admission were also evaluated. Results: Hepatic capsular enhancement in CT was classified into pattern A (n= 28), pattern B (n= 35), and pattern C (n= 23). Hospital stay was significantly shorter in pattern A (6.1± 2.4 days, P< 0.001) than that in pattern B (7.2± 2.9 days) or pattern C (7.7± 2.2 days). Subjective perihepatic pain duration was well correlated with the degree of hepatic capsular enhancement (P< 0.001). In multivariate analysis, the intensity of capsular enhancement was significantly associated with hospital stay after adjusting other factors. However, laboratory inflammation marker was not directly correlated with hepatic capsular enhancement. Conclusion: Enhancement pattern of CT scan in patients with FHCS is closely related to its clinical severity and the course of this disease.
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