[Transbronchial lymph node biopsy in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis (author's transl)].

Two hundred and fifty eight transbronchial lymph node biopsies using a Menghini type needle 1.5 mm in diameter were performed in 193 patients with a radiological and clinical picture suggestive of sarcoidosis. In 73 cases, the histological argument for the diagnosis was provided solely by this technique. The combination of two methods of obtaining material (multiple biopsies and transbronchial puncture) during rigid bronchoscopy led to a histological diagnosis in 77.7% of patients. The authors emphasize the relative safety of the method, as well as its value when material obtained by fibroscopy has proven to be unsatisfactory.