Cyclic neutropenia. A tale of two brothers and their family.

A family history encompassing four generations is presented. Definite cyclic neutropenia has been noted in two generations. In one member, the symptoms abated as she grew older. One 12-year-old member died of clostridial septicemia secondary to gangrene of the terminal ileum. At autopsy he was found to have amyloidosis. A trial of lithium carbonate therapy was carried out in a 7-year-old male but a positive hematologic response was not obtained.