You might want to get a copy of your biopsy results. A lip biopsy should be 'graded' using one of the several reputable scales (like Greenspan).

There really shouldn't be a 'gray' area on this. All lip biopsies look for the same thing...signs of autoimmune infiltration of the minor salivary glands. The grading scale is based on the number of foci found. A focus is equal to an aggregate of 50 or more lymphocytes, histiocytes or plasma cells. A diagnosis of Sjogren's requires at least TWO foci be present.

Therefore, get a copy of your results and see what it says. it may show just one focus and the pathologist is noting the presence of lymphocytes (which is abnormal in any amount), but not enough to qualify an outright diagnosis of Sjogren's. This actually happens quite often (just having one focus). It can be a sign of early disease process...and if retested later, likely more foci will show.

There are many rheumy's that consider any significant infiltration of lymphocytes enough for a Dx and warrant treatment. Personally, I agree...since it's obvious the lymphocytes aren't supposed to be there at all, so any amount indicates an autoimmune process in the works.

If you get the results and find it wasn't graded using a reputable scale, then you always have the option of sending the tissue slides to Johns Hopkins for another reading and interpretation (this is also something done quite often, as many pathologists are not very experienced in grading lip biopsies).