The Probable Systemic Nature of Mikulicz's Disease and Its Relation to Sjögren's Syndrome

Abstract

IN 1892 Mikulicz1 described a case of benign, asymptomatic, symmetric enlargement of the lacrimal and salivary glands. Microscopical examination of excised portions of the glands disclosed atrophy of the acinar parenchyma and diffuse replacement by lymphoid tissue. Apparently, this was the first report of its kind given much attention in the literature, and in time the condition received the name "Mikulicz's disease." In the years that followed this became a very confused subject. Many cases manifesting enlargement of the salivary or lacrimal glands were diagnosed as Mikulicz's disease with little attention to the histopathology. Later, it became apparent that bilateral . . .