Bilateral panuveitis following intravesical BCG immunotherapy for bladder carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To report a case of bilateral panuveitis following local treatment with Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy for superficial bladder carcinoma.

DESIGN

Case report and literature review.

METHODS

A 70-year-old female presented with severe bilateral anterior chamber inflammation 5 days after intravesical BCG instillation. Despite topical steroids and mydriatics, inflammation worsened and bilateral optic nerve swelling developed.

RESULTS

Oral corticosteroids settled the ocular inflammation, and optic nerve function recovered. A trial of steroid cessation caused rebound uveitis, so she remains on maintenance doses of oral corticosteroid.

CONCLUSIONS

Ocular inflammations following BCG therapy for bladder cancer are rare, and little is known about the management of such cases. This is the first report of bilateral panuveitis with optic nerve edema following such treatment.