During brain surgery on a 69-year-old woman in the US, doctors made an unexpected discovery: a slushy mess of dead brain tissue. The woman had developed a brain-eating amoeba, Balamuthia mandrillari, after flushing her sinuses with tap water. While infections are rare, they can be deadly. Unfortunately, the woman passed away just a month after the surgery.
The amoeba, found in soil and freshwater, had consumed a section of her brain, causing severe symptoms. The infection spread through her nasal cavity to her brain, ultimately leading to her death. This case serves as a reminder of the potential dangers of using unclean water for nasal flushing, even though such infections are extremely rare.
The woman’s tragic ordeal highlights the need to exercise caution and maintain good hygiene practices when using water for medical procedures. With proper care, the risk of encountering such an infection is significantly reduced.
