Kartagener's syndrome presenting as recurrent proplosis

Purpose. To present a case of Kartagener's -syndrome which presented as recurrent proptosis. Methods. Past medical history, complete blood count (CBC), blood chemistry, chest and abdominal x-rays. CT-scan. serum protein electrophoresis, and electron microscopy were obtained in our patient. Results. A seven month-old while male infant presented with proptosis of the right eye, fever and irritability. At four months of age he was treated at another institution with intravenous antibiotics for a presumed right orbita eel lull t is. CT scan was noi performed at that time. The patient has a history of recurrent otitis media and frequenl episodes of productive cough. His immunizations were up lo date and he had no risk factors for HIV infection. CBC, blood chemistry and immunoglobulins were all within normal limits, CT-scan of the orbits showed righi ethmoid sinusitis with a contiguous subperi osteal abscess of the media wall of the righi orbit. Chest and abdominal x-rays revealed situs in vertus. The patient underwent surgical drainage of the right ethmoid sinus and recovered uneventfully. Electron microscopy of the biopsy specimen revealed a dynein arm defect of the cilia, confirming ihe diagnosis of Kartagener's syndrome. Concl asion. Kartagener's syndrome, an inherited immolile cilia syndrome, may present as recurrent orbital cellulitis and is a consideration in the differential diagnosis of orbital cellulitis occurring m young children.