Comparison of labial and sublingual salivary gland biopsies in the diagnosis of Sjogren's syndrome

Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic inflammatory disease involving inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva of the eye, xerostomia or dryness of the mouth from dysfunction of the salivary glands, and connective tissue disease, most commonly rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. The xerostomia can be assessed by examination of biopsies of the salivary glands. The biopsies are used as a tool for diagnosing SS. Biopsies from the labial and sublingual salivary glands were compared in order to assess how they were associated with the diagnosis of SS. Specimens from 50 patients, who were suspected to have SS based on the symptoms of dry mouth or dry eyes, were examined. The tissue specimens were examined for ductal structures or foci filled with clumps of cells, particularly lymphocytes, that are involved in the inflammatory response. Foci were found in 14 of the labial and 29 of the sublingual salivary glands from patients with SS; this indicated a better correlation between the disease and the number of foci in the sublingual salivary gland than in the labial salivary gland. However, the examination was more useful for diagnosing SS if both salivary glands were examined. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)