Successful Treatment of a Balamuthia mandrillaris Cerebral Abscess in a Pediatric Patient With Complete Surgical Resection and Antimicrobial Therapy

Abstract

Cerebral amebic encephalitis due to Balamuthia mandrillaris is a rare yet typically fatal disease. As such, identification of the clinical characteristics, appropriate diagnostic workup and commencement of treatment is frequently delayed. Here, we present a case of a 4-year-old male with a B. mandrillaris cerebral abscess successfully treated with expedited neurosurgical resection and broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy.