Kartagener's triad

In 1933, Kartagener reported an unusual triad: situs inversus, bronchiectasis, and sinusitis. This is a report of 15 cases seen by the authors. Seven of these cases occurred in four families with multiple siblings showing one, two, or all three components. There was one set of identical twins. Bronchiectasis occurs more frequently in patients with situs inversus. This is reported 12 per cent-25 per cent as opposed to 0.3 per cent-0.5 per cent in general population. The etiology and relationship of bronchiectasis in situs inversus is probably congenital, but it is difficult to determine the factor involved. Management of these cases did not vary from usual treatment of suppurative tracheobronchial and paranasal difficulties. Pulmonary resection was done in five of these cases.