[Bronchiectasis in patients with situs inversus viscerum (Kartagener syndrome) (author's transl)]

The case records of 23 patients with Kartagener Syndrome in the past 10 years were reviewed. For diagnostics bronchoscopy, bilateral bronchography, lung function investigations and angiopulmonography were done. Their immunologic and genetic aspects were studied. Lung resections were performed in 17 patients, 5 of them underwent bilateral pulmonary resections. The lung specimens were investigated morphologically. As top clinico-morphologic features bronchiectasis in patients with situs inversus viscerum did not differ significantly from that without accompanying diseases. Unfavourable hereditary, dyskinesia of bronchial tree, paranasal sinus underdevelopment provoked inflammatory processes of bronchi and development of bronchiectasis.