Is Induced Sputum A Useful Noninvasive Tool in the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Sarcoidosis?

Özet

OBJECTIVES: In patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis, the provocation of sputum expectoration through the inhalation of hypertonicsaline has been investigated as an alternative diagnostic tool for invasive procedures. We aimed to assess the diagnostic value of inducedsputum (IS) by observing its cell distribution in patients with a confirmed histopathological diagnosis of sarcoidosis.MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective, cross-sectional study, we compared the IS results of 20 patients with a histopathologically confirmed pulmonary sarcoidosis diagnosis and 24 healthy volunteers. The percentages of macrophages, lymphocytes, neutrophils,and eosinophils in IS and the CD4/CD8 ratio were compared.RESULTS: The percentage of lymphocytes in IS was significantly higher in the pulmonary sarcoidosis patients compared to the controlgroup (41.6% vs 8.9%, p<0.001). There were no significant differences in the other IS cell percentages and CD4+/CD8+ ratio betweenthe groups. Sputum induction was well tolerated.CONCLUSION: Sputum induced by the inhalation of hypertonic saline is a safe, inexpensive, less invasive, and easily repeated methodand can be a valuable alternative to other invasive methods in the diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis.