KARTAGENER’S SYNDROME A CLASSICAL CASE

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Recurrent lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) is a very common problem weencounter in our clinical practice. Failure to recognize the specific cause of this condition may subjectthe patients to unnecessary and inappropriate treatment.CASE DETAILS: among the various causes of recurrent LRTI, the most frequent causes areabnormalities of general or local impairment of immune mechanism and abnormalities of cilia or mucusof respiratory tract. We report an adult case of recurrent upper and lower respiratory tract infectionssince childhood along with situs inversus totalis which was diagnosed as Kartagener’s syndrome. He hadall the classical clinical and radiological features of Kartagener’s syndrome which is a rare inheriteddisorder which is seen in nearly half of the cases of primary cilliary dyskinesia (PCD).CONCLUSION: One should always keep in mind the possibilities of Kartagener’s syndrome in patientspresenting with recurrent upper and lower respiratory tract infections, sinusitis or bronchiectasis.Inability to diagnose this condition may subject the patient to unnecessary and repeated hospitaladmissions, investigations and treatment failure.KEY WORDS: Kartagener’s syndrome, primary cilliary dyskinesia, situs inversus, dextrocardia, sinusitis