Sarcoidosis of the spleen

To determine the frequency of splenic involvement in sarcoidosis, fine-needle aspiration biopsies of the spleen have been performed on 71 patients and enlarged in 6. Splenic sarcoidosis was demonstrated in 53% of all patinets, and in 67% of those with and in 47% of those without known extrathoracic manifestations. No complications occurred with this simple bedside procedure. In sarcoidosis, fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the spleen is a valuable diagnostic tool, especially when visible or palpable lesions are absent. Its use is recommended before the use of mediastinoscopy, bronchoscopy, lung biopsy or laparoscopy.