Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of spleen in diagnosis of sarcoidosis.

To determine the frequency of splenic involvement in sarcoidosis fine-needle aspiration biopsies of the spleen were performed in 77 patients with verified sarcoidosis. Splenic sarcoidosis was documented in 53% of the patients; in 67% of those with and in 47% of those without known extrathoracic manifestations. The majority of the patients had a normal spleen size. The results indicate that splenic involvement is common in sarcoidosis and even in the early stage of the disease. The splenic aspiration biopsy is a simple, safe, rapid and reliable diagnostic procedure.