Scalene lymph node biopsy. A diagnostic method in sarcoidosis.

Right-sided scalene lymph node biopsy was performed on 167 patients with sarcoidosis. The surgical technique is described in detail. There were no complications, apart from two cases of minor postoperative haemorrhage. The diagnostic yield in sarcoidosis was 84% (140/167 patients). Scalene lymph node biopsy, performed by trained surgeons, is concluded to be a good alternative to other biopsy methods in sarcoidosis.