Diagnostic broncho alveolar lavage compared with 67Ga scintigraphy as diagnostic and therapeutic methods in sarcoidosis

The value of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and 67Ga scintigraphy in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis is discussed. Both methods complete themselves and do not compete, they are good indices for the activity of the disease and for corticoid treatment surveillance. There is no direct correlation of angiotensin converting enzyme activity and 67Ga scan in active disease. 67Ga scan is the method preferred to determine the spreading of granulomas, it allows the detection of invisible dissemination in the lungs and other organs. BAL allows a cell differentiation. With this method it is possible to survey the course of the disease and give further information of the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis. (author)