A rare lung complication of intra-bladder BCG therapy

We report a case of epithelioid granulomatous allergic lung disease in a pa tient given intra-bladder BCG therapy for treatment of a tumor: This uncomm on complication is sometimes related to bacterial dissemination or to an im munoallegic reaction occurring from the third to eihth week after onset of the instillation. Clinically, the patient presents a flu-like syndrome. The standard chest X- ray followed by computed tomography, demonstrates the extension of the pulm onary lesions. Miliary dissemination is rarely reported (10 cases in the li terature). Histological proof can be obtained from an endoscopic bronchial biopsy or a surgical specimen of the pulmonary parenchyma. Treatment is bas ed on corticosteroid therapy in combination with antituberculosis antibioti cs. Prognosis is generally good with treatment.