Kartagener syndrome

Case contributed by Erik Ranschaert
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Chronic sinusitis since childhood, routine check-up.

Patient Data

Age: 55 years
Gender: Female

Chest x-ray

x-ray

CXR demonstrates situs inversus (right sided heart, aorta and stomach bubble). Striking bilateral peribronchial cuffing and dilated bronchial tree, mainly in upper and lower lobe on the left side.

CT chest

ct

CT confirms situs inversus (mirror image of thoracic and upper abdominal content). The lung window setting the varicose to cystic bronchiectasis is well demonstrated. Also, the tree-in-bud sign is well visible in both lower lobes suggests current endobronchial infection.

Case Discussion

Kartagener syndrome is an autosomal recessive hereditary disease and a combination of findings that are also described with the immotile cilia syndrome (also called primary ciliary dyskinesia). The syndrome typically presents with:

  • situs inversus
  • bronchiectasis
  • chronic sinusitis
  • infertility in males

The tree-in-bud sign is often associated with Kartagener Syndrome, indicative of obstructive bronchiolitis. Impaction of mucoid material is a typical finding in these patients.

How to use cases

You can use Radiopaedia cases in a variety of ways to help you learn and teach.

Creating your own cases is easy.

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.