CT assessment of bronchi in sarcoidosis: endoscopic and pathologic correlations.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the computed tomographic (CT) appearance of bronchi in patients with sarcoidosis and to correlate CT, endoscopy, and bronchial biopsy findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients with sarcoidosis underwent CT and tracheobronchial endoscopy. CT findings of abnormalities of the bronchial walls and lumina were compared with endoscopic and biopsy findings. RESULTS: CT scans showed bronchial abnormalities in 39 patients (65%). CT and endoscopic findings were concordant in only 35 cases. However, CT showed abnormal lumina in 14 patients and endoscopy showed mucosal thickening in 12 of these 14 patients. CT findings of bronchial abnormalities were associated with the presence of bronchial granulomas (P < .0001). CT scans showed that, of the 37 patients with biopsy results of granulomatosis, 84% had thickened bronchial walls and 35% had luminal abnormalities. Eight CT findings were false-positive, and six were false-negative for the presence of granulomas. CONCLUSION: Bronchial involvement in sarcoidosis was detected at CT in 65% of cases. CT can help predict whether bronchial granulomas will be found in cases of sarcoidosis.