Modern bronhoscopic diagnosis of sarcoidosis

Introduction. Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disease of unknown etiology characterized by the presence of non-caseating granulomas in the affected tissues and organs. In most cases, biopsy of available lesions and histological verification is required, which makes bronchoscopy a method of choice in invasive diagnostics of sarcoidosis. Due to the construction of the bronchoscope and biopsy instruments, high quality tissue samples can be obtained from different anatomic locations. Transbronchial lung biopsy. Transbronchial lung biopsy with forceps represents a standard in diagnostics of sarcoidosis and it is always performed during bronchoscopy. Sensitivity and specificity of this method are rising with the stage of disease and it is performed even if chest radiography shows no changes in lung parenchyma. Endoscopic finding in sarcoidosis and endobronchial biopsy (biopsy of bronchial mucosa). Endobronchial biopsy results in diagnosis in 70% of patients with sarcoidosis and positivity is even higher when combined with transbronchial lung biopsy (76-86%). Transbronchial needle aspiration biopsy. Transbronchial needle aspiration biopsy is a safe and widely used routine method, especially if sarcoidosis is in stages I and II. Higher positivity and better quality of biopsy samples can be achieved when transbronchial needle aspiration biopsy is guided by the endobronchial ultrasound. Bronchoalveolar lavage. The significance of bronchoalveolar lavage remains controversial and subjected to further clinical investigations. Conclusion. All presented data point out that all biopsy techniques available should be used during fiberoptic bronchoscopy under suspicion of sarcoidosis, regardless of radiographic and endoscopic appearances.