Objective: The aim of this study was to observe the diagnostic value of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) in sarcoidosis.
Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the diagnostic efficiency of standard bronchoscopy and EBUS-TBNA in all patients diagnosed as sarcoidosis in Peking University First Hospitals between August 2010 and October 2011. The relationship between biopsy puncture numbers and sensitivity was calculated.
Results: There were 17 sarcoidosis patients among a total of 107 patients who had received EBUS-TBNA. Forteen patients had a positive TBNA result and the sensitive of EBUS-TBNA was 82%. The sensitivity of standard brochoscopy was 53% and when combined with EBUS-TBNA, the sensitivity increased to 88%. The sensitivity of EBUS-TBNA was associated with the size of lymph nodes. Lymph nodes with a diameter ≥ 2 cm showed a higher positive rate. Four punctures for 1 lymph node showed a concordance rate of 100% with the final results.
Conclusions: EBUS-TBNA was a safe and effective method in diagnosing pulmonary sarcoidosis. For patients with suspected sarcoidosis EBUS-TBNA should be performed in the largest lymph nodes with at least 4 punctures.