[Lip biopsy of minor salivary glands in Sjogren's syndrome: histological findings and clinico-pathological correlations].

Thirty-seven lip biopsies of minor salivary glands from patients with suspected Sjögren syndrome (SS) and no other known disease were studied. Two cases were excluded for not meeting disease criteria (one had histologic findings of sarcoidosis). Of 35 SS cases, 4 were considered secondary to associated disease. In 24 cases the Daniels technique was used and in 11, an elliptical excision. In 3 elliptical excisions (27.3%) the biopsy did not contain glands (p = 0.002 compared with the Daniels technique). The mean number of glands per biopsy was 7.7 (2-16) with the Daniels technique and 5 (0-15) by elliptical excision (no significant difference). Focal lymphoid sialoadenitis was present in all 32 gland-bearing specimens. Multiple inflammatory foci were found in 28 (87.5%), 8(25%) of which had a diffuse infiltrate. SS presented more frequently as xerostomy in patients with diffuse infiltrate (p = 0.09). In 11 lip biopsies from controls with other diseases of the oral cavity, 7 (63.6%) showed changes suggestive of SS.