Diagnostic Approach to Selecting a Biopsy Site for Pathologic Confirmation of Granulomatous Inflammation Consistent with Sarcoidosis - Flowchart
Diagnostic Approach to Selecting a Biopsy Site for Pathologic Confirmation of Granulomatous Inflammation Consistent with Sarcoidosis - Flowchart Sarcoidosis Sarcoidosis
«Flowchart»

Adequate clinical evidence for the diagnosis of sarcoidosis

Adequate clinical evidence for the diagnosis of sarcoidosis

Adequate clinical evidence for the diagnosis of sarcoidosis

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

No biopsy

No biopsy

No biopsy

End

End

End

Biopsy peripheral organ

Biopsy peripheral organ

Biopsy peripheral organ

Evidence of sarcoidosis in a “peripheral organ” (e.g., skin, lacrimal gland)

Evidence of sarcoidosis in a “peripheral organ” (e.g., skin, lacrimal gland)

Evidence of sarcoidosis in a “peripheral organ” (e.g., skin, lacrimal gland)

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

Biopsy visceral organ

Biopsy visceral organ

Biopsy visceral organ

Consider biopsy OR

Consider biopsy OR

Consider biopsy OR

Body scan to identify biopsy site (e.g., gallium-67, PET)
VERSUS
“Blind biopsy” of organ not suspected to be involved (e.g., lacrimal gland, conjunctiva, muscle)
VERSUS
“Indirect diagnosis” (e.g., eye exam consistent with sarcoidosis)

Body scan to identify biopsy site (e.g., gallium-67, PET)
VERSUS
“Blind biopsy” of organ not suspected to be involved (e.g., lacrimal gland, conjunctiva, muscle)
VERSUS
“Indirect diagnosis” (e.g., eye exam consistent with sarcoidosis)

Body scan to identify biopsy site (e.g., gallium-67, PET)
VERSUS
“Blind biopsy” of organ not suspected to be involved (e.g., lacrimal gland, conjunctiva, muscle)
VERSUS
“Indirect diagnosis” (e.g., eye exam consistent with sarcoidosis)


VERSUS

VERSUS

Evidence of sarcoidosis in a “visceral organ” (e.g., lung, liver)

Evidence of sarcoidosis in a “visceral organ” (e.g., lung, liver)

Evidence of sarcoidosis in a “visceral organ” (e.g., lung, liver)

Yes, can easily be biopsied

Yes, can easily be biopsied

Yes, can easily be biopsied

Yes, but cannot easily be biopsied (e.g., brain, heart)

Yes, but cannot easily be biopsied (e.g., brain, heart)

Yes, but cannot easily be biopsied

No

No

No