Peculiar histopathological features in minor salivary gland in lupus erythematosus.

Salivary glands (SGs) can be affected by lupus erythematosus (LE). Many authors debate whether this condition is a secondary manifestation of Sjögren syndrome (SS) or a glandular aspect of LE. The present study investigated the histopathological aspects of biopsied minor salivary glands from LE patients to analyze their peculiar features that lead to xerostomia. Twenty-three minor labial salivary gland (MLSG) cases were included in the study; the diagnosis of LE was rendered according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria. Twenty-three healthy MLSGs were used as a control, for comparison. Regarding lupus MLSG, the presence of hyalinization and thickening of ductal basement membrane, perivascular inflammatory infiltrate, epithelial spongiosis with no ductal lymphocytic aggression, vacuolar degeneration of the ductal cells and acinar serous metaplasia were statistically significant compared to the control group. In the LE group, there was a statistically significant correlation between acinar atrophy and acinar fibrosis; acinar atrophy and ductal ectasia; acinar fibrosis and ductal ectasia; ductal atrophy and ductal spongiosis with no lymphocytic focus, interstitial inflammatory infiltrate intensity and vasculitis as well as vascular thrombi and vasculitis. There were no morphological differences between the three subtypes of lupus analyzed. Minor salivary glands from patients diagnosed with LE present peculiar histopathological changes and may be a multisystemic presentation.

The lip in lupus erythematosus.

Lupus erythematosus (LE) frequently compromises the skin, lips and oral mucosa. There is a large body of medical and dental literature about the cutaneous and mucosal lesions of LE, but very little has been written specifically about labial lupus. The lip has a peculiar anatomical and histological architecture, and LE lesions at this site may have some distinct features. This article reviews the existing data and adds some new concepts to the issue of labial lupus in all of its presentations, comparing such lesions to the well-established characterization of cutaneous LE (in acute, subacute and chronic lesions), and highlighting some special clinical features that may enable a better diagnosis and differential diagnosis of lip diseases.

Oral manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease: a review based on the observation of six cases.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprises two chronic, tissue-destructive, clinical entities: Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), both immunologically based. Bowel symptoms are predominant, but extra-intestinal complications may occur, including involvement of the oral cavity. Oral involvement during IBD includes several types of lesions: the most common are aphthae; uncommon lesions include, among others, pyostomatitis vegetans and granulomatous lesions of CD. Starting with a presentation of six patients with oral manifestations, which were crucial for the final diagnosis of IBD, a review on the subject is presented. Oral involvement in IBD may be previous or simultaneous to the gastrointestinal symptoms. However, in the majority of cases, bowel disease precedes the onset of oral lesions by months or years. In many patients, the intestinal symptoms may be minimal and can go undetected; thus, most authors believe that the bowel must be thoroughly examined in all patients with suspected IBD even in the absence of specific symptoms. Usually, the clinical course of oral lesions is parallel to the activity of IBD; therefore, oral manifestations are a good cutaneous marker of IBD.