Objective To improve the knowledge of kartagener syndrome and the understanding of primary ciliary dyskinesia ( PCD) .
Methods Three cases of Kartagener syndrome were reported and analyzed on clinical manifestations, symptoms, imaging appearances of chest, and family history. Meanwhile the related literatures were reviewed.
Results The three patients deserved special recognition because of recurrent upper and lower respiratory tract infection. Of them, the third case showed mainly the symptoms of nasosinusitis at an early age, and the distinct pulmonary symptoms appeared in his adulthood. Further examination showed that the triad of chronic sinusitis, bronchiectasis, and situs inversus is present in all cases. The parents of the two cases were consanguineous marriaged. Examination of the bronchial mucosal biopsy specimen of the first case under transmission electron microscopy showed cilia with the absence of inner dynein arms. The three cases got improvement after treatment of anti-infection and expectorant.
Conclusion For patients with recurring infection in the upper and lower respiratory tract from infancy, the possibility of PCD should be considered no matter whether a situs inversus exists.
Citation： LIU Shaohua,YANG Xiaodong,WANG Yanting. Kartagener Syndrome: Three Cases Report and Literature Review. Chinese Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 2012, 11(3): 267-269. doi: Copy