To determine the diagnostic value for Sjögren's syndrome (SS) by evaluating the presence of focal adenitis in labial salivary gland (LSG) and lacrimal gland (LG) biopsy specimens.
109 suspected cases with SS underwent the biopsies. The diagnostic criteria of Fox et al. were followed. Both Chisholm-Manson's grading standard and Greenspan's focus score were used for the evaluation.
Myoepithelial islands and severe lymphocyte infiltration with germinal centers were observed only in LG biopsy specimens. The lymphocytic foci scored of LG were significantly higher than that of LSG in 23 cases having both biopsy results. The evaluation of both kinds of specimen for such a patient was significantly more effective in diagnosing SS than using either one of them alone.
We recommend that both LSG and LG biopsies be performed in patients suspected of having SS to reduce false negative results and improve diagnostic accuracy.