A small piece of salivary gland is removed for examination by needle biopsy if abnormal lumps are found, or to test for Sjogren syndrome. The biopsy needle removes a small "core" of gland tissue which is sent to the laboratory for analysis.
Review Date: 2/19/2007
Reviewed By: Alden J. Pearl, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.