A validated method of labial minor salivary gland biopsy for the diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome.
To validate a technique and outcomes of labial minor salivary gland biopsy (LSGB) used for the diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome (SS).



Prospective cohort study.



Clinical data were prospectively obtained pre- and postbiopsy using patient-reported questionnaires. LSGB was performed using described methods. Specimens were analyzed by a pathologist with expertise in SS and assessed using established criteria to determine the focus score. Data were analyzed using cross-tabulations.



Among the 58 patients in the study, 52 (90%) presented with sicca symptoms of dry eyes and/or mouth. Eight patients (14%) had histopathologic findings supportive of a diagnosis of SS. At 1 month postbiopsy, greater than 71% of patients denied any complaints of pain, swelling, numbness. or tingling. Sixteen patients (28%) had only a minor level of complaints. Only one patient complained of severe numbness at the biopsy site. Greater than 70% of patients would consider rebiopsy after the procedure, if requested by their physician.



We present a safe and effective method of LSGB for the diagnosis of SS.



4 Laryngoscope, 126:2041-2046, 2016.
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.|Johns Hopkins Jerome L. Greene Sjögren's Syndrome Center in the Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.
Jean
J
Kim
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.
Daniel
D
Sun
Johns Hopkins Jerome L. Greene Sjögren's Syndrome Center in the Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.
Rebecca
R
Ozl
Johns Hopkins Jerome L. Greene Sjögren's Syndrome Center in the Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.
Thomas
T
Grader-Beck
Johns Hopkins Jerome L. Greene Sjögren's Syndrome Center in the Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.
Julius
J
Birnbaum
Johns Hopkins Jerome L. Greene Sjögren's Syndrome Center in the Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.
Esen K
EK
Akpek
Johns Hopkins Jerome L. Greene Sjögren's Syndrome Center in the Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.
Alan N
AN
Baer
D001706:Biopsy; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008046:Lip / Q000473:pathology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009055:Mouth; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012470:Salivary Glands, Minor / Q000473:pathology*; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000473:pathology*
Labial salivary gland biopsy; Sjögren's syndrome; sicca