Ultrasound killed the pelvic examination: Over-reliance on ultrasound resulted in delayed diagnosis of Fitz-Hugh–Curtis syndrome and potential loss of fertility in a young female patient
We describe a case of multiple missed opportunities to diagnose Fitz-Hugh–Curtis syndrome in a sexually active 26-year-old woman in the emergency department (ED). Repeat ultrasound scans showed a hemorrhagic ovarian cyst. Multiple ED providers relied exclusively on these ultrasound findings as the p...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2022-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Emergencies, Trauma and Shock |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.onlinejets.org/article.asp?issn=0974-2700;year=2022;volume=15;issue=3;spage=146;epage=148;aulast=Lin |
| _version_ | 1811240804057874432 |
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| author | Luke Lin Alfredo Tirado Erin Mateer Sagar Galwankar Veronica Tucci |
| author_facet | Luke Lin Alfredo Tirado Erin Mateer Sagar Galwankar Veronica Tucci |
| author_sort | Luke Lin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | We describe a case of multiple missed opportunities to diagnose Fitz-Hugh–Curtis syndrome in a sexually active 26-year-old woman in the emergency department (ED). Repeat ultrasound scans showed a hemorrhagic ovarian cyst. Multiple ED providers relied exclusively on these ultrasound findings as the presumed cause of her pelvic pain, to the detriment of their physical examination. A manual pelvic examination was not performed until her fourth ED return visit, which showed mucopurulent discharge. On the basis of our findings, obstetrics and gynecology team was consulted and the patient underwent diagnostic laparoscopy, which revealed extensive adhesions suggestive of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and Fitz-Hugh–Curtis syndrome. With the advent of ultrasound, we have noticed providers rely on technology to the detriment of their physical examination skills. Many ED providers are hesitant to perform a pelvic examination when a transvaginal ultrasound has already suggested a cause of the patient's pain. Ultrasound will not and cannot diagnose PID. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T13:26:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e8f7e0d20e4a41c49996cc3ca7430141 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0974-2700 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T13:26:46Z |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Emergencies, Trauma and Shock |
| spelling | doaj.art-e8f7e0d20e4a41c49996cc3ca74301412022-12-22T03:31:18ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsJournal of Emergencies, Trauma and Shock0974-27002022-01-0115314614810.4103/JETS.JETS_136_20Ultrasound killed the pelvic examination: Over-reliance on ultrasound resulted in delayed diagnosis of Fitz-Hugh–Curtis syndrome and potential loss of fertility in a young female patientLuke LinAlfredo TiradoErin MateerSagar GalwankarVeronica TucciWe describe a case of multiple missed opportunities to diagnose Fitz-Hugh–Curtis syndrome in a sexually active 26-year-old woman in the emergency department (ED). Repeat ultrasound scans showed a hemorrhagic ovarian cyst. Multiple ED providers relied exclusively on these ultrasound findings as the presumed cause of her pelvic pain, to the detriment of their physical examination. A manual pelvic examination was not performed until her fourth ED return visit, which showed mucopurulent discharge. On the basis of our findings, obstetrics and gynecology team was consulted and the patient underwent diagnostic laparoscopy, which revealed extensive adhesions suggestive of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and Fitz-Hugh–Curtis syndrome. With the advent of ultrasound, we have noticed providers rely on technology to the detriment of their physical examination skills. Many ED providers are hesitant to perform a pelvic examination when a transvaginal ultrasound has already suggested a cause of the patient's pain. Ultrasound will not and cannot diagnose PID.http://www.onlinejets.org/article.asp?issn=0974-2700;year=2022;volume=15;issue=3;spage=146;epage=148;aulast=Linfitz-hugh–curtispelvic examinationpelvic inflammatory diseaseultrasound |
| spellingShingle | Luke Lin Alfredo Tirado Erin Mateer Sagar Galwankar Veronica Tucci Ultrasound killed the pelvic examination: Over-reliance on ultrasound resulted in delayed diagnosis of Fitz-Hugh–Curtis syndrome and potential loss of fertility in a young female patient Journal of Emergencies, Trauma and Shock fitz-hugh–curtis pelvic examination pelvic inflammatory disease ultrasound |
| title | Ultrasound killed the pelvic examination: Over-reliance on ultrasound resulted in delayed diagnosis of Fitz-Hugh–Curtis syndrome and potential loss of fertility in a young female patient |
| title_full | Ultrasound killed the pelvic examination: Over-reliance on ultrasound resulted in delayed diagnosis of Fitz-Hugh–Curtis syndrome and potential loss of fertility in a young female patient |
| title_fullStr | Ultrasound killed the pelvic examination: Over-reliance on ultrasound resulted in delayed diagnosis of Fitz-Hugh–Curtis syndrome and potential loss of fertility in a young female patient |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ultrasound killed the pelvic examination: Over-reliance on ultrasound resulted in delayed diagnosis of Fitz-Hugh–Curtis syndrome and potential loss of fertility in a young female patient |
| title_short | Ultrasound killed the pelvic examination: Over-reliance on ultrasound resulted in delayed diagnosis of Fitz-Hugh–Curtis syndrome and potential loss of fertility in a young female patient |
| title_sort | ultrasound killed the pelvic examination over reliance on ultrasound resulted in delayed diagnosis of fitz hugh curtis syndrome and potential loss of fertility in a young female patient |
| topic | fitz-hugh–curtis pelvic examination pelvic inflammatory disease ultrasound |
| url | http://www.onlinejets.org/article.asp?issn=0974-2700;year=2022;volume=15;issue=3;spage=146;epage=148;aulast=Lin |
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