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Updated: Aug 11, 2026
Intravital Microscopy of the Inguinal Lymph Node
Published on: April 4, 2011
[Scrotal abscess with inguinal lymph node swelling in an 86-year-old man]
C Gemmel1, G Jacek, H C Lücking
1Medizinische Klinik C, Gastroenterologie, Hepatologie, Diabetologie und Infektiologie, Ludwigshafen.
History And Admission Findings:
An 86-year-old patient presented to our clinic with increasing redness and swelling of the right scrotum and inguinal lymphadenopathy. Five and a half years before admission carcinoma of the bladder (pT1,G2) had been diagnosed and was treated with several transurethral endoscopic resections as well as repeated instillations of Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) into the bladder.
Investigations:
Orchiectomy on the right side was performed. Histological analysis revealed a granulomatous inflammation consistent with a mycobacteriosis. Mycobacterium bovis BCG could be isolated from several sputum and urine specimens of the patient.
Diagnosis, Treatment And Course:
Tuberculostatic therapy was started soon after surgery. After seven weeks of treatment no more mycobacteria could be detected in sputum and urine control specimens. At a follow up after twelve months there was no evidence of recurrent disease.
Conclusion:
We describe the late manifestation of a BCG infection including the lungs and the urogenital tract. This is a rare complication with potentially serious consequences and requires rapid diagnosis and urgent treatment by a multidisciplinary team.
