Objective: To report the ultrastructure of nasal mucosal cilia of Kartagener's syndrome and the operative results of 2 cases.
Methods: Both two cases were underwent endoscopic sinus surgery. Transmission and scanning electron microscopic examinations of nasal mucosa for case 1 were performed.
Results: All 2 cases presented situs inversus, chronic paranasal sinusitis and bronchiectasis. The electron microscopic examination showed that the shape of nasal cilia and "9 + 2" structure were normal, but the lack of inner dynein arm of cilia and confused arrangement of central pair of microtubules were confirmed. The recurrent of nasal polyps after 1-year follow-up was observed in case 1.
Conclusions: The disturbance of mucociliary clearance due to congenital ciliary structure defect might be the cause of chronic sinusitis and polyps, which might be one of reasons for poor prognosis after operation and we should pay more close attention.