Rapid Cerebral Edema and Herniation in a 65-Year-Old Man With Balamuthia Mandrillaris

Cureus. 2021 Apr 15;13(4):e14498. doi: 10.7759/cureus.14498.

Abstract

This case describes a 65-year-old man with hepatocellular carcinoma as well as other medical comorbidities who developed rapidly progressive cerebral edema, nonconvulsive status epilepticus, and ultimately died. Postmortem examination revealed massive cerebral edema, widespread parenchymal necrosis, herniation, hemorrhage, and cerebral amebiasis. The causative agent was identified by the Center for Disease Control as Balamuthia mandrillaris.

Keywords: amebiasis; brain edema; brain herniation; coma; diabetes insipidus; hepatocellular carcinoma (hcc); hypoxia brain; meningoencephalitis; non-convulsive status epilepticus; trophozoites.

Publication types

  • Case Reports