Immotile cilia syndrome- due to excessively long cilia
Overview
Immotile cilia syndrome, due to excessively long cilia: A very rare disorder where the cilia fail to move adequately due to abnormally long cilia. The cilia are tiny, hair-like structures found in the respiratory and ear passages and help to clear debris and mucus. This results in increases risk of respiratory infections, sinusitis, ear infections and male infertility. The infertility results as the tails of sperm is basically cilia.
Symptoms
The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources for Immotile cilia syndrome, due to excessively long cilia includes the 17 symptoms listed below: * Chronic inflammatory lung disease * Increased risk of respiratory infection * Asymptomatic * Male infertility * Increased risk of sinusitis * Increased risk of ear infections * Mouth breathing * Nasal discharge * Nasal polyps * Halitosis * Nasal congestion * Impaired hearing * Wheezing * Respiratory problems * Bronchiectasis * Headache * Chronic cough
Causes
Nasal polyps are usually produced by the continuous pressure resulting from a chronic allergy that causes prolonged mucous membrane edema in the nose and sinuses. Other predisposing factors include chronic sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, and recurrent nasal infections. Nasal polyps are more common in adults than in children and tend to recur. They’re also commonly seen in patients with long-term allergic rhinitis. About 1 in 4 people with cystic fibrosis have nasal polyps. READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Treatment
Generally, treatment consists of corticosteroids (either by direct injection into the polyps or by local spray) to temporarily reduce the polyp. A short course of oral corticosteroids (such as prednisone) may be beneficial. Treatment for the underlying cause may include antihistamines to control allergy, and antibiotic therapy if infection is present. Local application of an astringent shrinks hypertrophied tissue. However, medical management alone is seldom effective. Consequently, the treatment of choice is polypectomy, which is usually performed under a local anesthetic. The use of surgical lasers is becoming more popular. Continued recurrence may require surgical opening of the ethmoid, sphenoid, and maxillary sinuses and evacuation of diseased tissue.