Characteristics of the patients with sarcoidosis diagnosed by labial biopsy

Abstract

Introduction: The labial biopsy is a minimal invasive method which is used for the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. A few studies reported that labial biopsy is an important diagnostic method for differantiating sarcoidosis from tuberculosis or Sjogren’s syndrome. However, characteristics of the patients who were diagnosed sarcoidosis by labial biopsy have not been clearly defined. The aim of this study was to identify the characteristics of the sarcoidosis patients who diagnosed with labial biopsy. Material and Method: This retrospective study included 32 patients (25F,7M, age=44years). While 40% of them were asymptomatic, the most common symptoms were cough, weakness and weight loss. According to the radiology 62% of the patients had stage II, 31% stage I, 7% stage III. Pulmonary function tests and DLCO were normal at 70% of the patients (mean FVC=3040ml). There was no extrapulmonary involvement in 43% of the patients. The most common extrapulmonary involvement was eye (28%). Diagnosis was based on clinical, radiological findings and labial biopsy in 65% of the patients. The other organ biopsies (liver, skin, lung, abdominal and mediastinal lymphadenopathy) had also been positive in addition to the labial biopsy in 11 patients. Bronchoscopy performed to ten patients. Five of them had diagnostic biopsy and the others diagnosed by labial biopsy. Corticosteroids were given to 31% of the patients with the mean duration of 6-12 months. Conclusion: Labial biopsy is a minimal invasive, easy attainable method and this method should be used for the diagnosis of stage I and II sarcoidosis with clinical and radiological correlation.