Chediak-Higashi syndrome: clinical, hematologic, and immunologic improvement after splenectomy

A 10-year-old boy with Chediak-Higashi syndrome in accelerated phase failed to respond to treatment with ascorbic acid, vincristine, and prednisone. Splenectomy resulted in clinical, hematologic, and immunologic improvement: his leukocyte chemotactic and phagocytic functions returned to normal. We suggest that splenectomy be considered in treatment of the accelerated phase of Chediak-Higashi syndrome unresponsive to other forms of therapy.