Tuberculous epididymo-orchitis following intravesical BCG for superficial bladder cancer

ABSTRACT

A seventy-two-year-old man with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder received intra-vesical Bacillus Calmette-Guerin [BCG] following which he developed left testicular pain and swelling that partially resolved with conservative treatment. Six months later a second course of BCG was given for recurrent disease. Ten months later, he developed left testicular swelling and severe induration along with a draining scrotal sinus. Tuberculous orchitis was suspected and a left orchiectomy was performed. Pathology showed caseating granulomatous orchitis and epididymitis with numerous acid fast bacilli on Ziehl-Neelson stain. The patient received a six-month course of antituberculous therapy. This case highlights a rare but serious complication of intravesical BCG