Intravesical BCG immunotherapy: Sepsis and multiorgan failure developed after traumatic catheterization

Abstract

Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) instillation is a prophylactic therapy using for treating bladder cancer to prevent tumour progression and recurrence. Both local and systemic complications can arise after the installation. Although local complications are common , this therapy is generally well tolerated. Systemic complications are rarely than local complications but can be fatal. We report a case who died from severe complications such as sepsis, pneumonia, renal failure and granulomatous hepatitis after receiving the first maintanence installation of intravesical BCG immunotherapy for bladder transitional cell carcinoma.

Keywords

• Bacillus Calmette-Guerin
• multiorgan failure
• hepatic granulomas