[ value of endobronchial biopsy in diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis]

ABSTRACT

Sarcoidosis is a multiorgan granulomatous disorder of undetermined etiology with 90% of patients exhibiting some degree of pulmonary involvement. Transbronchial Lung biopsies [TBLB] with fiberoptic bronchoscopy which demonstrate granuloma formation have been established as standard method for histological confirmation of sarcoidosis. In this study endobronchial biopsy [EBB] was used to assess the frequency of positive EBB findings in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis. The study included 28 patients [Mean +/- SD age 41.8 +/- 11.64 and 55% female]. Transbronchial and endobronchial biopsy were done for all patients. Results of EBB were analyzed. EBB was positive in 53.5% of subjects and TBLB showed granuloma in 71.5% of cases. In 8 cases [28.5%] diagnosis was established only by EBB. Normal appearing endobronchial mucosa in 73.5% of cases was associated with positive EBB findings. Endobronchial involvement is common in sarcoidosis and EBB can safely increase the diagnostic value of fiberoptic bronchoscopy