PMC3154392_01
Histological analysis of salivary gland biopsies. Minor salivary glands ((a) first biopsy; (b) second biopsy) and parotid gland (c) biopsies were stained using hematoxylin-eosin. Original magnification: 100x. Arrows are pointing to lymphocytic infiltrates. (d) shows higher magnification (400X) of parotid gland biopsy depicting lymphocytic infiltrates.
IJR2011-302527.001.jpg
PMC3154392_01_IJR2011-302527.001.jpg
fig1
To investigate the histopathological criteria for SS, a minor salivary gland biopsy was performed (lower lip biopsy with excision of 4 small lobules of labial salivary gland tissue with total surface area of 20 mm2) and did not depict focal lymphocytic infiltration (Figure 1(a)). A second minor salivary gland biopsy was performed and showed a focus  score < 1 (Figure 1(b)). A Parotid gland biopsy was also done (performed under local anesthesia, with surgical excision and biopsy of 4 lobules of parotid gland tissue according to the technique by Kraaijenhaigen) and displayed severe inflammatory infiltrates compatible with a grade 4 according to Chisholm's classification or a focus score of 3 but no lymphoepithelial lesions were seen (Figures 1(c) and 1(d)).