Transbronchial needle aspiration in sarcoidosis: Yield and predictors of a positive aspirate

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcvs.2007.11.011 Byline: Rocco Trisolini (a), Carmine Tinelli (d), Alessandra Cancellieri (b), Daniela Paioli (a), Marco Alifano (c)(e), Maurizio Boaron (c), Marco Patelli (a) Abbreviations: CT, computed tomography; ROSE, rapid on-site cytopathologic examination; TBLB, transbronchial lung biopsy; TBNA, transbronchial needle aspiration Abstract: Transbronchial needle aspiration is a useful diagnostic procedure in sarcoidosis, but widely variable yields are reported. This study determined the diagnostic contribution of standard transbronchial needle aspiration in a large series of patients with sarcoidosis and evaluated predictor variables that might influence its results. Author Affiliation: (a) Unit of Thoracic Endoscopy and Pulmonology, Maggiore Hospital, Bologna, Italy (b) Unit of Pathology, Maggiore Hospital, Bologna, Italy (c) Unit of Thoracic Surgery, Maggiore Hospital, Bologna, Italy (d) Clinical Epidemiology and Biometry Service, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy (e) Thoracic Surgery Unit, HA[acute accent]tel-Dieu Hospital, AP-AH, Paris, France Article History: Received 28 July 2007; Revised 29 October 2007; Accepted 13 November 2007