To present differential-diagnostic signs of sarcoidosis with affection of the salivary and lacrymal glands and Sjogren's disease.
The examination of 620 patients with affection of the salivary and lacrymal glands revealed sarcoidosis in 19 of them. The diagnosis was verified histologically. Clinical, serological and histological characteristics of sarcoidosis patients were compared to those of 200 patients with Sjogren's disease (SD) detected among the examinees.
Sarcoidosis patients vs those with SD (p < 0.001) had massive enlargement of the salivary glands (84.3%) with severe xerostomy which appeared rather early (78.9%), affection of the lacrymal glands manifesting with enlargement of the palpebral region, edema of the upper eyelids (57.9%), pulmonary lesion (78.9%), cranial nerves (47.4%), skin (42%), enlargement of the intrathoracic lymph nodes (100%).
In spite of the presence of mucosal dryness simulating SD, sarcoidosis of the lacrymal and salivary glands has some specific features allowing differentiation of sarcoidosis.