Background. Systemic
amyloidosis is a potentially fatal condition, unless diagnosed and treated before development of irreversible organ damage. Demonstration of
amyloid deposits within tissue biopsies is only definitive diagnostic method, which makes appropriate selection of biopsy site essential. Herein, we evaluated efficacy of minimally invasive minor salivary gland biopsy (
MSGB) for the diagnosis of
amyloidosis. Methods. We analyzed 37 biopsies taken from 35 patients. Suggestive findings for
amyloidosis were significant
proteinuria, renal impairment, refractory
diarrhea, neuropathy, and
restrictive cardiomyopathy. Minor salivary gland was the initial biopsy site in all subjects. When
MSGB was negative but there was a high suspicion for
amyloidosis, a kidney, duodenum, or rectal biopsy was performed for further investigation. Results. Mean age of patients was 45.4 and 21 were female. In 11 patients
amyloidosis was diagnosed with
MSGB. In overall 18 patients were diagnosed with
amyloidosis. Sixteen of them were identified as being of AA type and two were AL type
amyloidosis. The sensitivity of minimally invasive
MSGB is 61.1% for diagnosing
amyloidosis in this study. Conclusion.
MSGB is a safe and simple method for the diagnosis of
amyloidosis which can be performed in an outpatient setting. We suggest extensive use of this minimally invasive method.