Clinical and histopathologic characteristics of submandibular gland in Stevens-Johnson syndrome: A comparative study.

<bold>Objective: </bold>The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical manifestations and pathologic appearances of the submandibular gland (SMG) in Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS).<bold>Study Design: </bold>Patients with autologous transplantation of SMG for treatment of severe dry eye between March 1998 and May 2018 were divided into the SJS group (70 cases) and non-SJS group (50 cases) according to the history of SJS. The SMG weight and computed tomography volume and salivary flow rate were measured. The concentration index and secretion index were estimated using scintigraphy with technetium-99m-pertechnetate. Histopathology studies of SMG tissues were conducted, and the acini parameters were measured using a digital image analyzer.<bold>Results: </bold>A decreased computed tomography volume and weight was observed in 48.57% the SJS group and 2% in the non-SJS group (P < .01). The rest whole, acid-stimulated whole, and SMG rest salivary flow rates decreased in the SJS group (P < .05). The normal SMG concentration index (37.5% vs 96.67%, P < .001) and secretion index (35% vs 96.67%, P < .001) rates were lower in the SJS group than in the non-SJS group. The glandular parenchyma was reduced, the acinar space was widened, and the fat content was increased in the SJS group.<bold>Conclusion: </bold>SMG atrophic and degenerative changes occurred in the SJS group, with a decrease in salivary secretion function in more than half of the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]