Neutrophil disorders in a child with necrotizing external otitis

A two year old child presented with a history of cyclic fever since the sixth week of life, and otorrhea of six weeks' duration, unresponsive to treatment. Surgical removal of massive granulation tissue and sequestrated bone, combined with parenteral administration of pipellacillin and dibekacin successfully resolved the Pseudomonas infection. Neutropenia and the decreased chemotactic activity of neutrophils were observed in this patient. This neutrophil disorder seemed to be primary and a contributing factor.