[The diagnostic significance of biopsy of the labial salivary glands in Sjögren's disease and chronic parenchymatous and interstitial sialoadenitis].

Histologic methods were used to examine biopsy specimens of minor (labial) salivary glands obtained to verify Sjogren's disease in 14 patients with this condition, 12 ones with chronic parenchymatous parotitis, and in 4 subjects with chronic interstitial parotitis. Sjogren's disease, chronic parenchymatous parotitis, and, to a lesser degree, chronic interstitial parotitis were found to be associated with development in the minor salivary glands of an immune inflammation with the predominance of features characterizing delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction presenting as mainly lymphoid macrophagal infiltration of tissue first near the ducts and then near the end portions. This or that degree of glandular lymphoid macrophagal infiltration is present during all periods of disease and it therefore cannot be considered as a process secondary in relation to extension of the secretory portion of the gland. These data may be useful in interpretation of morphologic changes in the minor salivary glands in various forms of chronic sialadenitis.