[Inflammatory diseases of the salivary]

INFLAMMATORY DISEASES OF THE SALIVARY GLANDS. Salivary glands can be affected by inflammatory pathologies. They are most often manifested by the occurrence of swelling of the main salivary glands that can be associated with a dryness. Main inflammatory diseases with salivary gland involvement are Sjögren's disease, IgG4-associated disease and sarcoidosis. These diseases are rare and characterized by systemic involvement. The existence of multiple organ involvement must lead to the diagnosis. The first step in the diagnostic process is to eliminate the much more frequent differential diagnoses, primarily lithiasis and infectious diseases, as well as nutritional causes. In case of suspicion, a biopsy of the minor salivary glands may help to advance the etiological investigation.