Ear, nose and throat symptoms and signs were studied in 15 patients with 
Kartagener's syndrome: a triad consisting of chronic rhinosinusitis, chronic 
bronchitis with bronchiectasis, and situs inversus. The triad is caused by 
primary ciliary dyskinesia and characterized by absent or considerably reduced 
mucociliary transport. Daily accumulation of secretions in the nose, chronic 
recurrent secretory otitis media and sinusitis occurred in all subjects. 
Characteristically, nasal discharge started at birth or was first detected in 
early childhood. Apparently, the frequency of common colds and of acute purulent 
otitis media was not increased. As primary ciliary dyskinesia can occur without 
situs inversus, knowledge of the typical ENT symptoms is essential for making an 
early diagnosis, which is important for the correct management of the disease. 
While a conservative surgical approach to treatment of the ENT symptoms is 
recommended, early and active treatment of the bronchial symptoms is probably 
important for prevention of further lung damage and development of 
bronchiectasis.