Kartagener syndrome, first described in 1933, is characterized by the triad of situs inversus, bronchiectasis and sinusitis and/or nasal polyposis. It is present in 50% of patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia, a rare genetic disorder causing ciliary defects and impaired mucociliary clearance, thereby predisposing patients to otosinopulmonary disease.

Air-trapping (characterized by mosaic attenuation) and recurrent pulmonary infections (characterized by tree-in-bud nodules, ground-glass opacities, and consolidations) are frequently seen due to poor mucosal clearance.