Imaging findings of Balamuthia mandrillaris amoebic encephalitis in 2 cases with different prognosis and literature review

Based on 17 surviving patients imaging findings with clinical data and one death case we reported, we proposed that the key imaging features related to the prognosis of Balamuthia mandrillaris amebic encephalitis are hemorrhage within the lesion and centripetal spread through cortical and subcortical brain parenchyma into cerebrospinal fluid circulation along the meninges and ependyma. Starting ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery as early as possible before the ventricular system is invaded may provide the patient with a chance of survival.