Intravesical Bacilli Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy is a commonly used treatment for superficial bladder cancer. Although the treatment is well tolerated in 95% of cases, life-threatening side effects including BCG sepsis can occur. This report describes the case of an 82-year-old man with a background of lung disease. He developed septic shock and type two respiratory failure after receiving the sixth installation of intravesical BCG (TICE strain) immunotherapy for recurrent bladder Transitional Cell Carcinoma in situ. Despite the early initiation of broad spectrum antibiotics (tazocin and gentamicin), he remained pyrexial. There was a rapid deterioration, and on the second day of his admission, he developed type two respiratory failure secondary to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) prompting transfer to Intensive Care for Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) Ventilation. The blood cultures taken before the induction of antibiotics results were negative. Increasing clinical suspicion of systemic BCG-osis prompted the initiation of antituberculosis therapy (ethambutol, isoniazid rifampicin) and steroids. Following six days of BiPAP and anti-tuberculosis therapy in ITU, his condition started to improve. Following a prolonged hospital stay he was discharged on long term ethambutol therapy. BCG-osis is a well-known though rare side effect of intravesical BCG therapy. We would like to highlight the importance of having a low threshold for starting anti-TB treatment.
Background:Post-operative single dose intravesical chemotherapy (PSDIVC) in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer has been shown to reduce recurrence rates by up to 39%. However, some studies have suggested poor compliance with PSDIVC stating logistical issues and reluctance to give chemotherapy prior to histological confirmation as some of the reasons.Objectives:This study aims to analyse appropriate administration of PSDIVC practice in St. Mary’s Hospital against European Association of Urology guidelines and implement an intervention bundle to improve practice.Patients and Methods:All patients that underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) between March 2012 and February 2013 were analysed retrospectively to review indication for post-operative chemotherapy, instillation rates and limiting factors preventing appropriate instillation. An intervention bundle including pre-operative delivery of mitomycin C (MMC) to the theatre suite, proforma placed in the operative notes and designated roles for PSDIVC induction was introduced to improve instillation and documentation rates. Prospective re-audit data was collected over six months between July 2013 and December 2013 following intervention.Results:Sixty-four patients in group A underwent TURBT prior to introduction of the intervention bundle. Fifty-four patients had non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), which would have been eligible for PSDIVC. Fifteen (28% of NMIBC) were administered PSDIVC. Twenty-three (36% of all patients) were either given PSDIVC or had a documented contraindication. Thirty-one patients in group B underwent TURBT following induction of intervention bundle. Twelve (50% of NMIBC) patients were given PSDIVC. Twenty-eight (90% of all patients) were either given PSDIVC or had a documented contraindication.Conclusions:The intervention bundle prompted increased administration of PSDIVC and documentation. Similar centres may benefit from an intervention to improve compliance.
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