Clinical analysis of acute appendicitis misdiagnosed as acute enteritis in patients with Kartagener syndrome

LI Zhenkai; ZHANG Jianhua; SUN Qiang

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1002-3429.2025.23.003

Abstract：Objective To investigate the causes and preventive measures for the misdiagnosis of acute appendicitis as acute enteritis in a patient with Kartagener syndrome.Methods The clinical data of a patient with Kartagener syndrome and acute appendicitis,who was misdiagnosed with acute enteritis and admitted in 2021,were retrospectively analyzed.Results The patient was admitted due to migratory left lower quadrant abdominal pain for 10 h.After clinical examination,the condition was initially misdiagnosed as acute enteritis,but conservative treatment yielded unsatisfactory results.Subsequent imaging examinations confirmed the diagnosis of left-sided acute appendicitis,and further investigation and detailed history-taking led to the definitive diagnosis of Kartagener syndrome.The duration of misdiagnosis was 2 d.After confirmation,the patient underwent surgical intervention and anti-infective therapy.The incision healed well,and the patient was discharged after the pulmonary infection was controlled.Follow-up indicated a favorable prognosis.Conclusion Kartagener syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder,with characteristic imaging findings of the triad of bronchiectasis,situs inversus,and chronic sinusitis.Its clinical presentation is often atypical,leading to a high potential for misdiagnosis.Clinicians should enhance their awareness of this disease.When evaluating patients with acute abdominal pain,an abdominal CT scan should be performed.The possibility of Kartagener syndrome should be considered in patients with situs inversus to avoid misdiagnosis.