Obstructive azoospermia associated with chronic sinopulmonary infection and situs inversus totalis

Urology. 2006 Jul;68(1):204.e5-7. doi: 10.1016/j.urology.2006.01.072.

Abstract

We describe 2 cases of obstructive azoospermia associated with situs inversus and sinopulmonary infection due to ciliary defects. Electron microscopy of testicular sperm flagella demonstrated normal morphology with nine peripheral doublets surrounding a central pair and complete sets of inner and outer dynein arms. Electron microscopy of the nasal mucosa revealed partial defects of the dynein arms of cilia, although the "9+2" morphology was preserved. Our cases were considered unique variants of Young's syndrome but also had characteristic features of Kartagener syndrome, and thus support the hypothesis that Young's syndrome has a genetic etiology similar to that of Kartagener syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chronic Disease
  • Cilia / diagnostic imaging
  • Ciliary Motility Disorders* / diagnosis
  • Ciliary Motility Disorders* / pathology
  • Humans
  • Kartagener Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Male
  • Nasal Mucosa / ultrastructure
  • Oligospermia* / diagnosis
  • Oligospermia* / pathology
  • Respiratory Tract Infections*
  • Situs Inversus*
  • Sperm Motility
  • Syndrome
  • Ultrasonography