The role of parotid biopsy in the diagnosis of pediatric Sjögren syndrome.

Objectives: To describe our experience with primary and secondary Sjögren syndrome (SS) in the pediatric population and to evaluate the effectiveness of parotid gland biopsy in the diagnosis of pediatric SS.

Design: Case series review of 6 pediatric patients evaluated during a 4-year period with varied head and neck manifestations of SS.

Setting: Tertiary care children's hospital.

Patients: Six children (4 boys and 2 girls) ranging in age from 6 to 12 years, who were diagnosed as having primary or secondary SS.

Intervention: Six minor salivary gland and 4 parotid gland biopsies for pathologic examination.

Main Outcome Measures: Pathologic examination of salivary tissue consistent with SS.

Results: All 6 patients underwent minor salivary gland biopsy, 2 (33%) were consistent with SS, while the remaining 4 (67%) were nondiagnostic. The 4 patients with nondiagnostic minor salivary gland biopsy results went on to have parotid biopsies, of which all 4 had histologic findings consistent with SS. No complications were encountered.

Conclusion: Parotid gland biopsy is an effective and safe means of obtaining salivary gland tissue for histologic evaluation of SS in the pediatric population.