Cyclic neutropenia: a case of asymptomatic appendicitis

A seven year old boy with a history of cyclic neutropenia (CN) was admitted to the hospital after developing fever and chills following a bicycle accident. After admission, he had a rapidly deteriorating hospital course leading to shock and death. At autopsy, acute appendicitis with resultant peritonitis and sepsis was diagnosed. The peculiar clinical and microscopic aspects of this case will be presented and contrasted with the more usual signs and symptoms of this cyclic disease.