Kartagener syndrome in a young Ethiopian boy: a case report.
| Title: | Kartagener syndrome in a young Ethiopian boy: a case report. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Gebray HM; Department of Internal Medicine, Woldia Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Woldia, Ethiopia. habtamum8@gmail.com.; Chekol AL; Department of Internal Medicine, Woldia Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Woldia, Ethiopia. addisuliknaw@gmail.com.; Mihiretie SA; Department of Internal Medicine, Woldia Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Woldia, Ethiopia.; Boye AT; School of Medicine, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia.; Wendimagegn ZS; School of Medicine, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia.; Getachew ZD; School of Medicine, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia. |
| Source: | Journal of medical case reports [J Med Case Rep] 2025 May 17; Vol. 19 (1), pp. 230. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 May 17. |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article; Case Reports |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: BioMed Central Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101293382 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1752-1947 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 17521947 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Med Case Rep Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Original Publication: [London] : BioMed Central, [2007- |
| MeSH Terms: | Kartagener Syndrome*/diagnosis ; Kartagener Syndrome*/therapy ; Kartagener Syndrome*/diagnostic imaging ; Kartagener Syndrome*/physiopathology ; Kartagener Syndrome*/complications ; Kartagener Syndrome*/drug therapy; Azithromycin/therapeutic use ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; Dextrocardia/diagnostic imaging ; Bronchiectasis/etiology ; Cough/etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Adolescent ; Ethiopia ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Physical Therapy Modalities ; Treatment Outcome ; Electrocardiography ; Situs Inversus |
| Abstract: | Introduction: Kartagener syndrome is a subset of a larger group of ciliary motility disorders called primary ciliary dyskinesias. The syndrome includes the clinical triad of chronic sinusitis, bronchiectasis, and situs inversus. Patients usually present with recurrent respiratory tract infections due to ineffective mucociliary clearance. Females and males are equally affected. Kartagener syndrome occurs in about 1 in 32,000 to 40,000 births worldwide.; Case Presentation: This case involved a 17-year-old Black African Semitic male patient who presented to our hospital with a complaint of intermittent productive cough, which started when he was 5 years old. He had a history of repeated treatment for lower respiratory tract infection and chronic sinusitis with frequent exacerbation. On examination, he had coarse crackles over the left posterior lower lung field. Heart sounds were appreciated on the right side. During imaging investigations, his chest X-ray posterior-anterior view showed dextrocardia and right side gastric shadow with left paracardiac bronchiectatic changes. A high-resolution chest computed tomography scan was suggestive of complete situs inversus. There were left lower lobe bronchiectatic changes. An electrocardiogram showed features of dextrocardia. Routine laboratory tests were within normal range. He was treated with thoracic physiotherapy, azithromycin 500 mg three times per week, and mucolytics, with no apparent exacerbations in the last 6 months.; Conclusion: The diagnosis of Kartagener syndrome is typically delayed because the clinical symptoms are easily mistaken for common infections. Since there is no specific treatment for Kartagener syndrome, early diagnosis and management of Kartagener syndrome are critical to prevent irreversible lung damage and chronic lifelong sequelae. A high index of suspicion is needed to make an early diagnosis so that timely treatment options may be offered to prevent problems associated with Kartagener syndrome.; (© 2025. The Author(s).) |
| Competing Interests: | Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: Ethical clearance was obtained from the ethical committee of Woldia Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, and consent was obtained from the parents of our patient to prepare the case report. Consent for publication: Written informed consent was obtained from the patient’s legal guardian for publication of this case report and any accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor-in-Chief of this journal. Competing interests: None. |
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| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Bronchiectasis; Dextrocardia; Kartagener syndrome; Primary ciliary dyskinesias; Situs inversus |
| Substance Nomenclature: | 83905-01-5 (Azithromycin); 0 (Anti-Bacterial Agents) |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20250517 Date Completed: 20250517 Latest Revision: 20250520 |
| Update Code: | 20260130 |
| PubMed Central ID: | PMC12085034 |
| DOI: | 10.1186/s13256-025-05245-8 |
| PMID: | 40382668 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
Journal Article; Case Reports