Xerostomia refers to a dry mouth caused by a decreased salivary gland flow in a patient with adequate hydration. It may occur as an isolated finding or as one of the findings in Sjogren's syndrome.
Objective criteria for the diagnosis of xerostomia - at least 2 of the following:
(1) reduced unstimulated salivary flow, with <= 1.5 mL saliva collected in 15 minutes
(2) lymphoplasmocytic infiltrate in an adequate biopsy of labial salivary glands (sialoadenitis)
(1) Some patients complain of a dry mouth despite evidence of adequate saliva flow.
(2) An inadequate biopsy may miss or insufficiently sample a minor salivary gland.
(3) While biopsy of the parotid gland may be diagnostic, this can result in facial nerve damage, scarring or a cutaneous fistula if not performed carefully.
Differential diagnosis:
(1) Sjogren's syndrome
(2) dehydration
(3) obstruction to saliva flow (stone, tumor)
(4) drug effect or infection
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