[Segmental bronchoalveolar lavage with a flexible probe via a rigid bronchoscope in the diagnosis of mediastino-pulmonary sarcoidosis].

Abstract

Segmentary bronchial-alveolar lavage with flexible catheter connected to rigid bronchoscope might be used in diagnosis of mediastinal-pulmonary sarcoidosis, according to a method used by the authors. Cytologic examination of the lavage fluid shows, in the cases studied, the great abundance in cells, with lymphocytes increase to 30 +/- 12% (in agreement with other authors) making thus possible the disease diagnosis. On the other hand, polymorphonuclears increased to 20 +/- 10%. These higher values than those noticed up to now, pointed that the fibrosing process in sarcoidosis has a higher level than assumed, and appear since the onset of the disease.