Labial salivary gland biopsy (i.e., lip biopsy) is a useful tool to help diagnose Sjögren’s syndrome in suspected patients, but most rheumatologists are not trained to perform the minimally invasive procedure. A new, 40-minute training video and slide presentation with step-by-step instructions may help them fill that critical skill gap. Two rheumatologists collaborated to create the video, which they are making freely
“Trying to establish a diagnosis of Sjögren’s [syndrome] can be really challenging. … In many situations, a lip biopsy is recommended,” says Sara McCoy, MD, MS, assistant professor of medicine and director of the University of Wisconsin Health Sjögren’s Syndrome Clinic, Madison. She and Robert W. Ike, MD, associate professor emeritus of internal medicine at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, created this video based on a training workshop on labial gland biopsy which they led together at the 2019 ACR/ARP Annual Meeting.
Jason Liebowitz, MD, completed his fellowship in rheumatology at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, where he also earned his medical degree. He is currently in practice with Skylands Medical Group, N.J.