Oral manifestations of cyclic neutropenia in a Japanese child: case report with a 5-year follow-up.

Cyclic neutropenia is an uncommon hematologic disorder characterized by a marked decrease in the number of neutrophils in the peripheral blood occurring at regular intervals. The neutropenic phase is characteristically associated with clinical symptoms such as recurrent fever, malaise, headaches, anorexia, pharyngitis, ulcers of the oral mucous membrane, and gingival inflammation. This case report describes a Japanese girl who has this disease and suffers from periodontitis and oral ulceration. Her case has been followed up for the past 5 years from age 7 to 12. The importance of regular oral hygiene, careful removal of subgingival plaque and calculus, and periodic and thorough professional mechanical tooth cleaning was emphasized to arrest the progress of periodontal breakdown. Local antibiotic application with minocycline ointment in periodontal pockets was beneficial as an ancillary treatment, especially during neutropenic periods.