Diffuse alveolar damage in BCGosis: a rare complication of intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy for transitional cell carcinoma

Pathology. 1999 Feb;31(1):55-6. doi: 10.1080/003130299105566.

Abstract

Intravesical administration of bacillus Calmette-Guérin is a relatively simple procedure used in the treatment of superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder. It is usually well tolerated with few major side effects. In rare instances, systemic complications can result in death. The usual autopsy finding is that of caseating and non-caseating granulomata in the affected organ. We report the second case of BCGosis in which granulomata together with acute and organising phase diffuse alveolar damage were found in the lungs.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • BCG Vaccine / adverse effects*
  • Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / therapy
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Granuloma, Respiratory Tract / microbiology*
  • Granuloma, Respiratory Tract / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Pulmonary Alveoli / pathology*
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / therapy

Substances

  • BCG Vaccine