A 4-year-old boy is brought to the emergency department for difficulty breathing and a productive cough. He has a past medical history of recurrent episodes of sinusitis and otitis media. The respiratory infections typically have a protracted course but respond to high-dose antibiotic therapy. Pulmonary auscultation shows crackles and wheezing. Cardiovascular examination shows a cardiac point of maximal impulse that is palpated at the right 5th intercostal space. Which of the following is most likely to be dysfunctional in this patient?

Question

A 4-year-old boy is brought to the emergency department for difficulty breathing and a productive cough.  He has a past medical history of recurrent episodes of sinusitis and otitis media.  The respiratory infections typically have a protracted course but respond to high-dose antibiotic therapy.  Pulmonary auscultation shows crackles and wheezing.  Cardiovascular examination shows a cardiac point of maximal impulse that is palpated at the right 5th intercostal space.  Which of the following is most likely to be dysfunctional in this patient?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Kartagener syndrome is a form of primary ciliary dyskinesia characterized by the triad of situs inversus, chronic sinusitis, and bronchiectasis.  It occurs due to mutations that impair the structure or function of cilia.  Cystic fibrosis also causes chronic respiratory infections, but it is not associated with situs inversus.

A 4-Year-Old Boy Is Brought to the Emergency Department for Difficulty