[Focus on Kartagener's syndrome. Apropos of a case]

Kartagener syndrome, identified 40 years ago, is an obstructive bronchopulmonary condition of early onset which rapidly becomes chronic and linked to immobility of the bronchial cilia. This clinical entity is based upon a kinetic problem secondary to ultrastructural abnormalities of the cilia. Current techniques for the study of ciliary movement and electron microscopy in particular are sufficiently accurate to be able to link certain ciliary abnormalities to particular clinical manifestations. Although it is a frequent neonatal condition, Kartagener syndrome may be compatible with prolonged survival. The authors report a case in an adult, with a favorable course, and give an updated review of the condition.