Learn all concerning the salivary gland biopsy and when it’s needed.
Glands are a gaggle of organs that specialise in the production and secretion of gear needed for the human body. The study of their anatomy and performance is helpful within the diagnosis of certain diseases. Do you need to know when a salivary gland biopsy is performed? We’ll inform you here.
The salivary glands are situated within the mouth and within the upper a part of the digestive tract, and their predominant function is the production of saliva for digestion. Studies confirm that on account of their vascularity and anatomical structure, they’re at risk of quite a few inflammations and infiltrates, and their dysfunction is an alarm signal that permits us to suspect certain disorders.
What is a salivary gland biopsy?
From an anatomical and functional perspective, salivary glands are divided into larger and smaller or additional acorn. The first group is formed by the parotid gland, situated on the masseter muscle; then we’ve got the sublingual, sublingual and submandibular glands, situated at the bottom of the mouth.
A salivary gland biopsy consists of controlled extraction of a small piece of tissue or the complete gland for further histopathological studies. This test can only be performed by trained professionals and is indicated in specific cases.
When to perform a salivary gland biopsy?
In most cases, salivary gland biopsy performed when there may be a clinical suspicion of a tumor or infiltrative processes within the tissue. Tests (in Spanish) confirms that salivary gland tumors account for as much as 5% of head and neck tumors, most of that are benign.
In this sense, a gland biopsy makes it possible to find out the variety of lesion and, based on this result, determine medical management. Similarly, the study is frequently really useful when doctors suspect an obstructive process within the drainage of the glands.
On the opposite hand, some authors report that biopsy of the salivary glands is considered one of the predominant criteria for diagnosis Sjogren’s syndrome. It is a chronic autoimmune disease characterised by dysfunction of the secretion of saliva and tears by the glands.
You could also be fascinated about: How Doctors Treat Autoimmune Diseases
Exam preparation
No special preparation is required to perform a salivary gland biopsy by puncture. However, it’s advisable to not eat food or drink for six to eight hours prior to the test.
In addition, the specialist may indicate a brief discontinuation of anticoagulants a number of days before the examination, if the patient is taking most of these drugs.
How is a salivary gland biopsy performed?
A glandular biopsy is frequently performed in a medical clinic. The strategy of selection is fine-needle aspiration biopsy. The latter facilitates the gathering of a sample of the small salivary gland without causing uncomfortable side effects.
To collect a sample, the world to be approached must first be cleaned and sterilized with isopropyl alcohol. An area anesthetic will then be given to numb and eliminate pain in the world. The patient may feel a slight prick after which lose sensation.
After preparing the positioning, the specialist will insert the biopsy needle until it reaches the salivary gland to be assessed. This may cause slight pressure or discomfort for 1 to 2 minutes. A small piece of glandular tissue will then be aspirated, removed and placed on a slide to be sent to the lab.
For a salivary gland biopsy for Sjögren’s syndrome, further administration of anesthetic and multiple tissue samples from different glands will likely be required. Accordingly, several sutures might be placed on the approach site. The area could also be tender and red for several days after the procedure.
Learn more: Thick saliva: why does it occur?
Analysis of the outcomes
The results of this examination are reported by a specialized pathology laboratory. Normally, the glandular tissue is unbroken and freed from abnormal growths or evidence of neoplastic changes.
However, a salivary gland biopsy could also be positive for inflammatory processes, infection, infiltration, and tumor cell proliferation. Similarly, cell dysfunction and tissue atrophy are signs of Sjögren’s syndrome. Another pathology that might be identified is sarcoidosis.
Risk of salivary gland biopsy
A salivary gland biopsy is a comparatively secure procedure with a low rate of uncomfortable side effects. Some of the risks related to this procedure include:
- Infection
- Haemorrhage
- Allergy to anesthesia
- Damage to the trigeminal or facial nerve
- Numbness of the lips or facial skin
In addition, some patients experience mild pain and discomfort in the times following surgerywhich might be relieved with over-the-counter painkillers. On the opposite hand, it’s best to seek medical attention in case you experience the next symptoms:
- Fever
- Bleeding
- Swelling and pain that doesn’t go away
- Difficulty respiratory and swallowing
- Fluid leaks from the puncture site
Steps to follow after the biopsy
Salivary gland biopsy is a diagnostic procedure used to guage the anatomy and microscopic function of glandular tissue. In this fashion, cancer and other conditionssimilar to Sjögren’s syndrome, might be detected.
Close medical follow-up after such a procedure is important.
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