Flexible Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy in Sarcoidosis

Abstract
Twenty‐nine patients with clinical signs, chest X‐ray and histology consistent with sarcoidosis have been studied with flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FFB) and scalene node biopsy. The diagnostic yield from bronchial mucosal biopsies was 41%, and from transbronchial lung biopsy 43%. 52% of the patients showed epithelioid cell granulomas with FFB (lung and/or mucosal biopsies) compared with 79% with scalene node biopsy. Three patients showed extensive bronchial mucosal changes with stenosing processes due to sarcoidosis. Sarcoidosis of the bronchial mucosa is a frequent finding, and FFB is the best method for discovering bronchial mucosal sarcoidosis with or without stenosing processes. In our opinion, FFB has a place as a routine method in diagnosing sarcoidosis.

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