New Diagnostic Methods and Treatment Recommendations in Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia

Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia

Abstract

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare and genetically heterogeneous disease and clinically characterized by neonatal respiratory distress, organ laterality defects, persistent rhinosinusitis, chronic bronchitis, and eventually bronchiectasis. Currently, there is no single “gold standard” diagnostic test for PCD. PICADAR (Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia Rule) score is a guide to decide for further evaluation of diagnostic tests in PCD. European Respiratory Society (ERS) and American Thoracic Society (ATS) recommend diagnostic tests, including nasal nitric oxide (nNO), high-speed video analysis (HSVMA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and genetic testing. Cryo-electron tomography and immunofluorescence methods are new techniques recently performed by specialized centers and needs to be improved. Age at diagnosis for PCD changes according to awareness of disease and available diagnostic tests in different centers. Regular follow-up and multidisciplinary approach is important in the management of PCD. The main aim of the treatment is to prevent pulmonary exacerbations and slow the progression of the disease since there are no treatment approaches to correct the underlying cilia structure and its functions in PCD. Although, there are not enough randomized controlled trials for the treatment of PCD, recent treatments are usually based on to improve the mucociliary clearance. Early diagnosis with multidisciplinary management and nutritional advice could improve growth and delay disease progression leading to bronchiectasis and lung function impairment in PCD.