Endocrine Abstracts

Xerostomia can be classified into two different types. One type is associated with severely reduced salivary secretion. The other involves normal salivary function yet reduced viscosity of saliva or reduced mucin concentration within the saliva, a common finding in elderly people. Studies show that xerostomia is the most common oral side-effect of cardiovascular medication. Statins are common cardiovascular drugs used to treat hypercholesterolemia. A 55-year-old Asian lady, no...

A 57-year-old gentleman presented with bilateral painless submandibular swelling, and flu like symptoms. A biopsy from the enlarged submandibular gland showed chronic sclerosing sialadenitis with lymphocytic infiltration. Immunohistochemistry showed plasma cells positive for CD79a and IgG4, and a combination of CD4 and CD8 positive lymphocytes. IgG4 levels were significantly raised (3.16 g/l, NR <1.3 g/l). A diagnosis of IgG4 syndrome was made. Chest and abdominal CT imagi...