Summary

Gallbladder (GB) empyema is an uncommon complication in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Non-specific signs and symptoms and rarity of disease in AML make it difficult to diagnose early. We report a case of 13-year-old boy who had AML and developed GB empyema in the neutropaenic period. The patient was managed with antibiotics, ultrasound-guided tapping and interval cholecystectomy and recovered well. GB empyema is a life-threatening complication which should be kept as a possibility while evaluating patients with neutropaenia with pain abdomen localised to right hypochondrium as early diagnosis and treatment can lead to better outcomes.