Miliary tuberculosis induced by intravesical instillation of bacillus Calmette-Guérin

The intravesical instillation of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is an efficacious complementary treatment for superficial bladder cancer after transurethral resection. This treatment delays progression, decreases the probability that the patient will have to undergo cystectomy in the future, and improves survival; it is generally efficacious and well tolerated. Among the most common local complications are irritative symptoms, hematuria, local genitourinary infection. Systemic complications are much less common. We present the case of a 71-year-old man who developed miliary tuberculosis secondary to treatment with intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin for bladder cancer. This is exceptionally uncommon complication is potentially lethal and requires the immediate discontinuation of treatment.