Should minor salivary gland biopsy still be performed?

Introduction. Labial salivary gland biopsy (LSGB) is a very useful technique that is often performed in Our specialty. A lot of these LSGB yield normal results and the interest of this technique may he discussed. This study was made to answer two questions: one on the diagnostic interest of LSGB for the suspected pathology, secondly to verify if there was a correlation between the results of LSGB assessment and the patient's final diagnosis. Material and methods. Ninety-six LSGB were performed in 2004 for Sjogren syndrome, sarcoidosis, amyloidosis and other autoimmune diseases. The histological study assessed the Chisholm-Mason score and screened for amyloidosis and sarcoidosic granuloma. The prescribing unit gave the final diagnosis. Results. The LSGB was very specific (100% of specificity) and there were no false positive results; conversely, its sensitivity was lower, that is 75% for Sjogren syndrome, 67% for amyloidosis, 60% for sarcoidosis and 14% for other auto-immune disease (not defined). Discussion. LSGB can be recommended for Sjogren syndrome; it is also useful for amyloidosis. In sarcoidosis it gives poor results and presents no interest for other auto-immune diseases. The LSGB prescribed for patients with a suspected initial single diagnosis (Sjogren syndrome only, or amyloidosis only, or sarcoidosis only, or an other auto-immune disease only) significantly increases the specificity and the sensitivity of the technique and suggests that specificity and sensitivity are linked to patient selection and not to LSGB itself. (c) 2008 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.