A Case of Metachronous Bilateral Epididymal Tuberculosis after BCG Instillation Therapy

Abstract

Beginning in May 2016, an 83-year-old male underwent three transurethral resections for recurrent bladder cancer. In June 2017, following a positive urine cytology exam, a random biopsy of the bladder was performed. The histopathological findings revealed urothelial carcinoma, high grade, pTis. Treatment consisted of bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) instillation. In February 2018, he complained of left scrotal swelling and pain ; and, was diagnosed with left epididymitis. However, based on resistance to the antibiotic agent, epididymal tuberculosis after BCG therapy was suspected and resection of the left testis and epididymis was performed. Histopathological findings revealed epididymal tuberculosis. Three months after the left orchiectomy, the patient complained of right scrotal swelling and pain. Based on antibiotic resistance and the positive findings of a urinary mycobacterium tuberculosis polymerase chain reaction assay, metachronous right epididymal tuberculosis was suspected and the patient underwent resection of the right epididymis. While the histopathological findings did not indicate tuberculosis, the urinary mycobacterium culture was positive. The patient was diagnosed with right epididymal tuberculosis and after surgery was administered an antituberculosis drug.