Oral and labial biopsies in amyloidosis and Sjögren's syndrome: meeting and pathologist's needs.

An oral biopsy in a patient suspected of having amyloidosis should be taken from any clinically suspicious area present in the oral mucosa. Such areas include petechiae, ecchymoses, macules, papules, plaques and nonspecific ulcers. If none of these are found, a nondirected biopsy of the gingiva and alveolar mucosa should be performed. The marginal gingiva should be avoided. The labial biopsy for Sjögren's syndrome involves making an incision 1.5 to 2 cm long, parallel to the vermilion border, in the labial mucosa of the lower lip. The incision is widened by blunt dissection and four to seven nodules of salivary gland need to be removed for examination.