IMMOTILE CILIA SYNDROME: RADIAL SPOKES DEFICIENCY IN A PATIENT WITH KARTAGENER'S TRIAD

Abstract
Mucociliary transport and ultrastructure of nasal cilia in a 13-yr-old boy with Kartagener''s triad were investigated. Mucociliary transport was significantly delayed (> 30 min). EM showed cilia lacking radial spokes, eccentric central tubules and a dislocation of 2 of the outer doublets. Dynein arms were present. The radial spoke defect is apparently a distinct congenital anomaly which contributes to the pathogenesis of the immotile cilia syndrome.