What is situs inversus?

Situs inversus is a rare congenital condition where major organs, including the heart, lungs, stomach, liver, and spleen, are positioned in a mirror-opposite arrangement from typical anatomy.

How common is situs inversus?

Situs inversus affects approximately 1 in 10,000 people and can often go unnoticed for a lifetime.

Can situs inversus cause health problems?

While many with situs inversus live without symptoms, it can be associated with heart abnormalities, primary ciliary dyskinesia, and carries risks of misdiagnosis and delayed treatment.

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Actress's Rare Condition Sparks Health Searches

2 Feb

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Summary

Situs inversus causes organs to mirror normal anatomy.
The condition affects approximately 1 in 10,000 people.
It can lead to misdiagnosis and treatment delays.

Actress's Rare Condition Sparks Health Searches

Searches for situs inversus have surged following the recent death of actress Catherine O'Hara. This rare congenital condition causes major organs to be positioned in a mirror-opposite arrangement from typical anatomy. It affects approximately 1 in 10,000 individuals and can often go undetected for a lifetime.

O'Hara herself discovered her condition approximately 20 years prior to her death during tuberculosis testing. Internal imaging is the sole diagnostic method for situs inversus. While many live without symptoms, complications can arise, including heart abnormalities in 3-5% of cases and primary ciliary dyskinesia in about a quarter of individuals.

These associated conditions can lead to chronic sinus infections, frequent chest infections, and hearing problems. Kartagener's syndrome, a combination of situs inversus with sinus and lung issues, has no cure. The condition also poses risks of misdiagnosis and delayed life-saving treatment due to the atypical organ placement, such as the appendix or heart.