Clinical utility of transbronchial needle aspiration of mediastinal lymph nodes in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis in stages I and II

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the individual and combined diagnostic yield and clinical utility of transbronchial needle aspiration and transbronchial biopsy in the histologic diagnosis of sarcoidosis in stages I and II. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a prospective study enrolling all the patients admitted to our hospital between July 2001 and June 2006 with mediastinal lymph nodes of a diameter of over 10 mm and clinical and radiological indication of sarcoidosis. The patients underwent the following tests in the order specified: a transbronchial needle aspiration of 1 or more lymph nodes using a 19-gauge histology needle until 2 satisfactory specimens were obtained, a bronchoalveolar lavage, and 4 to 6 transbronchial biopsies. RESULTS: A total of 32 patients were enrolled during the study period. Of these, 26 were finally diagnosed with sarcoidosis. The mean (SD) age of the patients was 38.9 (10.6) years and there were 13 women (50%). The mean (SD) lymph node diameter was 23.5 (6.5) mm. The most common lymph node aspiration sites were the subcarinal station (9 patients, 34.6%) and a combination of the subcarinal and paratracheal stations (7 patients, 26.9%). Computed tomography scans of the chest revealed parenchymal involvement in 12 (46.2%) patients. Fifteen (57.7%) patients were diagnosed by transbronchial biopsy and 16 (61.5%) by transbronchial needle aspiration. These techniques were used in isolation in 7 (26.9%) and 8 (30.8%) patients, respectively (P>.05). Diagnosis was achieved with the combined results of transbronchial biopsy and needle aspiration in 23 (88.4%) patients. Overall, the diagnostic yield of the combined techniques was significantly higher than that of either one in isolation (P=.01 vs transbronchial biopsy and P=.02 vs needle aspiration). In patients with parenchymal involvement, yield was better for the combined techniques only in comparison with transbronchial biopsy (P=.01). Only 4 (15%) patients developed complications and 20 (76.9%) tolerated the procedures well. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic yield was significantly higher when transbronchial biopsy and transbronchial needle aspiration were used in combination than when used alone, particularly in patients without parenchymal involvement. There were few complications and tolerance was good.