Salivary gland biopsy for Sjögren's syndrome

Salivary gland biopsy is a technique broadly applied for the diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome (SS), lymphoma accompanying SS, sarcoidosis, amyloidosis, and other connective tissue disorders. SS has characteristic microscopic findings involving lymphocytic infiltration surrounding the excretory ducts in combination with destruction of acinar tissue. This article focuses on the main techniques used for taking labial and parotid salivary gland biopsies in the diagnostic workup of SS with respect to their advantages, their postoperative complications, and their usefulness for diagnostic procedures, monitoring disease progression, and treatment evaluation.