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Semin Respir Crit Care Med 1999; 20(2): 179-184
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1009458
Copyright © 1999 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Lung Involvement in Sjögren's Syndrome

Spyros A. Papiris 1 , Stuart S. Kassan 2 , Haralampos M. Moutsopoulos 3
  • 1Dept of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Evgenidio Hospital, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, 11528 Athens, Greece,
  • 2Colorado Arthritis Associates 4200 West Conejos Place, Denver, CO 80204 USA,
  • 3National University of Athens, School of Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology 11527 Athens, Greece
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Publication History

Publication Date:
20 March 2008 (online)

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Abstract

Lung involvement in primary Sjögren's syndrome, was first described by Henrik Sjögren more than 50 years ago, who reported similar histopathological changes in the exocrine glands of the bronchi with those observed in the salivary glands. Since then, pulmonary involvement in primary Sjögren's syndrome, has been the subject of various studies and several pulmonary complications have been described, including bronchial and bronchiolar disease, interstitial pneumonitis, and lymphoma. Although frequent and pleomorphic, pulmonary involvement is rarely clinically severe. However, in the symptomatic patient with significant functional and radiological abnormalities tissue diagnosis, either by transbronchial or by open lung biopsy, is mandatory because of the malignant potential of some lesions.

Key Words:

Sjögren's syndrome - lymphocytic bronchial and bronchiolar disease - lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis - lymphoma