Granulomatous pneumonitis following intravesical BCG. What therapy is needed?

Chest. 1994 Nov;106(5):1624-6. doi: 10.1378/chest.106.5.1624.

Abstract

A 68-year-old man developed fever, cough, and dyspnea after intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG). Chest radiograph revealed diffuse reticulonodular infiltrates with caseating granulomas on transbronchial biopsy specimen. Cultures were negative and the patient's condition improved with corticosteroids. The mechanism for BCG-induced granulomatous inflammation is poorly understood. Optimal therapy includes corticosteroids.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Intravesical
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Aged
  • BCG Vaccine / administration & dosage
  • BCG Vaccine / adverse effects*
  • Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / complications
  • Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / therapy
  • Granuloma / chemically induced*
  • Granuloma / diagnosis
  • Granuloma / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pneumonia / chemically induced*
  • Pneumonia / diagnosis
  • Pneumonia / drug therapy
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / complications
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / therapy

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • BCG Vaccine