Multiple Lung Abscesses in a Patient with Kartagener's Syndrome

Kartagener's syndrome is a rare genetic disorder, which is mostly inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. There are 4 genes with a proven pathogenetic role in Kartagener's syndrome. It results from ciliary dysfunction and is commonly characterized by sinusitis, male infertility, hydrocephalus, and situs inversus. Since Kartagener's syndrome causes deficiency or even stasis of the transport of secretions throughout the respiratory tract, it favors the growth of viruses and bacteria. As a result, patients have lifelong chronic and recurrent infections, typically suffering from bronchitis, pneumonia, hemoptysis, sinusitis, and infertility. We present a 27-year-old woman, a case of Kartagene'sr syndrome, with multiple pulmonary abscesses. Evaluation of sputum and tracheal secretions revealed Pseudomonas aeroginosa. Antibiotics were started and respiratory symptoms resolved and the patient was discharged in good general condition. As a conclusion, prompt and appropriate treatment of respiratory infections can minimize irreversible lung damage in such cases. (Tanaffos 2008; 7(4): 64-67)