Spontaneous subdural empyema in malaria: a case study

Malaria is one of the most common diseases in tropical countries. In our country, malaria is endemic in some parts of south and east. Cerebral malaria is usually a diffuse symmetric encephalopathy with focal signs being unusual. We present a two-year old girl with fever and seizure while undergoing treatment for malaria. Imaging disclosed acute subdural empyema. Investigations revealed anemia, thrombocytopenia and positive peripheral blood smear for vivax malaria. Treatment involved surgical evacuation of the subdural empyema, oral chloroquin and antibiotics. This is the third case report of spontaneous subdural empyema in complicated malaria and highlights a rare but surgically manageable complication