Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin-induced myopathy presenting as rhabdomyolysis: a case report

J Yeungnam Med Sci. 2023 Oct;40(4):430-434. doi: 10.12701/jyms.2022.00850. Epub 2023 Feb 13.

Abstract

Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) instillation is an adjuvant treatment for non-muscle-invasive urinary bladder cancer. Although most complications associated with BCG immunotherapy are mild and self-limiting, rare albeit serious complications have been reported. Only a few cases of BCG-related rhabdomyolysis have been reported. In this study, we present the case of a 72-year-old woman who developed severe weakness and hyperCKemia following intravesical BCG instillation. A muscle biopsy was performed, and a diagnosis of drug-induced myopathy was made.

Keywords: BCG vaccine; Intravesical administration; Muscular diseases; Rhabdomyolysis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports