Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol.  2012 Jun;32(2):126-130.

Successful Role of Endoscopic Sinus Surgery in an Asthmatic Patient Associated with Kartagener's Syndrome

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Kartagener's syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by bronchiectasis, chronic sinusitis and situs inversus. Chronic sinusitis in patients with Kartagener's syndrome can lead to exacerbation of bronchial asthma. Here, we report a successful clinical control by functional endoscopic sinus surgery in such a case. CASE HISTORY: A 39-year-old man was admitted with dyspnea and wheezing. Two years prior, he had been confirmed to have bronchial asthma based on pulmonary function test results and clinical manifestations. He visited the outpatient clinic monthly and had taken regular asthma medication. However, his symptoms and pulmonary function test results were poorly controlled and he experienced recurrent episodes of hospitalization. He had all the typical signs of Kartagener's syndrome, such as complete visceral transposition, chronic sinusitis and bronchiectasis.
RESULTS
His symptoms and pulmonary function test results were successfully controlled after functional endoscopic sinus surgery and long-term medical treatment. Treatment of chronic sinusitis in Kartagener's syndrome by functional endoscopic sinus surgery dramatically improved asthmatic symptoms and decreased the frequency of hospitalizations.
CONCLUSION
We report a case of concurrent of Kartagener's syndrome and bronchial asthma that was successfully controlled after functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

MeSH Terms

Adult
Ambulatory Care Facilities
Asthma
Bronchiectasis
Dyspnea
Hospitalization
Humans
Kartagener Syndrome
Respiratory Function Tests
Respiratory Sounds
Sinusitis
Situs Inversus