Pathology · patient case question
What other characteristic finding would you expect in this patient?
Patient case: Case: decreased saliva and decreased tears
Scenario: A patient presents with reduced salivary flow and reduced tear secretion.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Dry eyes (keratoconjunctivitis sicca)
- A. Salivary flow is reduced around the clock, which is why these patients have a high caries rate and candidal infection.
- B. Facial nerve palsy is not a feature. Parotid enlargement may occur, but the nerve is not paralysed.
- C. Tear production falls, not rises; that is the whole basis of the sicca complex.
- D. Correct. Lymphocytic destruction of the lacrimal glands produces gritty, burning dry eyes — assessed with the Schirmer test and rose bengal staining.
Note: Watch for the raised lymphoma risk in long-standing Sjögren — a persistently enlarged, firm parotid warrants biopsy.