Publication
Title
The value of endoscopic ultrasound after bronchoscopy to diagnose thoracic sarcoidosis
Author
Abstract
A clinicoradiological presentation of thoracic sarcoidosis requires histopathology in order to establish the diagnosis. Flexible bronchoscopy has a reasonable diagnostic yield and is the procedure of first choice for diagnosis. Endoscopic ultrasound (endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration/endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration) can help in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. An implementation strategy of endoscopic ultrasound for the diagnosis of sarcoidosis following negative flexible bronchoscopy results was examined prospectively in 15 clinics. A total of 137 patients (92 males; median age 43 yrs) were included, and sarcoidosis was found in 115 (84%). Alternative diagnoses were tuberculosis, lymphangitis carcinomatosa, pneumoconiosis and alveolitis. All patients were sent for flexible bronchoscopy, which was performed in 121 (88%), resulting in a definite diagnosis in 57 (42%). A total of 80 patients were sent for endoscopic ultrasound, which could be performed in 72 (90%), yielding a definite diagnosis in 47 (59%). Endoscopic ultrasound following negative flexible bronchoscopy avoided a surgical procedure in 47 out of 80 patients. The sensitivity of flexible bronchoscopy for sarcoidosis was 45% (95% confidence interval 3554%), but 62% (5072%) if biopsy specimens were taken. The sensitivity of endoscopic ultrasound following negative flexible bronchoscopy results was 71% (5882%). With this strategy, 97 out of 115 (84% (7690%)) of proven sarcoidosis was diagnosed using endoscopy. This large prospective implementation study (trial number NCT00888212 [ClinicalTrials.gov] ; ClinicalTrials.gov) shows that endoscopic ultrasound is valuable for diagnosing sarcoidosis after negative flexible bronchoscopy results.
Language
English
Source (journal)
The European respiratory journal / European Respiratory Society [Lausanne] - Copenhagen, 1988, currens
Publication
Copenhagen : 2010
ISSN
0903-1936 [print]
1399-3003 [online]
DOI
10.1183/09031936.00111509
Volume/pages
35 :6 (2010) , p. 1329-1335
ISI
000278194000021
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 29.07.2010
Last edited 25.05.2022
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