Aspiration biopsy of the spleen in patients with sarcoidosis.

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the spleen was performed on 101 patients with suggested sarcoidosis; it was the final diagnosis in 79. Adequate specimens were obtained in all cases with a 0.8 X 80 mm or 0.7 X 40 mm disposable needle. Fine-needle biopsy specimens of the spleen showed a granulomatous reaction in 19 out of the 79 cases with sarcoidosis (24%). There were three minor biopsy complications that required no treatment.