Diagnostic value of sialography with both the conventional and digital subtraction techniques in children with primary and secondary Sjögren's syndrome

Sonography: the leading diagnostic tool for diseases of the salivary glands

Ultrasound examination is the imaging procedure with the best predictive diagnostic capability for the salivary glands. Due to the salivary glands' relatively superficial anatomical location, clear boundary from surrounding tissue and comparatively typical echogenicity, therefore sonography is ideal for diagnosis. In addition, the technical advances in recent years, including higher resolution, color Doppler sonography, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, elastography, and tissue harmonic have lead to an improvement in diagnostic accuracy of sonography further resulting in an expansion of the range of indications. Sonography allows detection of obstructive salivary gland diseases such as stenosis or sialolithiasis, as well as sialadenosis such as Sjögren syndrome. Ultrasound examination alone is sufficient to diagnose benign tumors. However, in the case of malignant tumors, computer tomography or MRI may be also required, especially to determine the question of infiltration of the skull base.

[Sensory neuronopathy of Sjögren's syndrome. A diagnostic challenge]

Sjögren's syndrome is an important differential diagnosis in patients with sensory neuronopathy because immunosuppressive therapy may prevent progressive degeneration of sensory fibres, ganglions and axons. Due to the challenges in the diagnostic process the diagnostic criteria have repeatedly changed over the past few years. In patients with negative antibodies (SSA, SSB antibodies) biopsy of the salivary glands of the lip and the parotid gland can be useful to diagnose Sjögren's syndrome. We report on four patients in whom biopsy of the salivary gland was helpful in establishing the diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome and consequently immunosuppressive therapy was initiated. One of these patients suffered from hypersalivation. This was probably due to denervation hypersensitivity. To our knowledge this has not been reported yet.

[Pathogenesis and diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome]

Sjögren's syndrome is a common autoimmune disorder. Several genetic risk factors such as STAT-4, ILT6 and the haplotype HLA-B8/DR3 have been identified. In addition, there are environmental risk factors, possibly chronic viral infections. In the pathophysiology of Sjögren's syndrome T and B cells infiltrate the salivary and lacrimal glands. As a consequence of the destruction of glandular cells by cytotoxic T cells, production of cytokines and autoantibodies inhibiting glandular function, the production of saliva and tears is decreased. The feeling of dry eyes and mouth is frequently not noticed by the patients. Therefore, Sjögren's syndrome should also be considered when extraglandular manifestations such as vasculitis, polyneuropathy or arthritis occur, even when the patients do not complain of dry eyes and mouth. Establishing the diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome requires verification of reduced glandular function, for example using Schirmer's test and the Saxon test. The confirmation of Sjögren's syndrome as a cause of sicca syndrome is subsequently performed by the detection of autoantibodies against Ro (SS-A) and La (SS-B) and/or by a salivary gland biopsy.

Primary Sjögren syndrome in the paediatric age: a multicentre survey

Primary Sjögren syndrome (SS) is very rare in childhood. We collected a series of primary paediatric SS cases from different centres. A data collection form was prepared and sent to rheumatologists who were willing to participate. Data on 40 cases of primary SS with onset before the 16th birthday were collected. Almost all patients (35/40) were females, age at onset varied from 9.3 to 12.4 years (mean 10.7 years). Signs and symptoms at disease onset were mainly recurrent parotid swelling followed by sicca symptoms. Abnormal laboratory tests were found in the majority of cases. Regarding treatment, 22 patients were treated at some time with oral corticosteroids, seven with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and five with hydroxychloroquine; two patients needed cyclosporine and one cyclophosphamide. Follow-up varied from 0 to 7.5 years from onset, without major complications in the majority of patients.

CONCLUSION

recurrent parotid swelling is a common feature of primary Sjögren syndrome in childhood and often occurs as a presenting feature. Sicca symptoms may be rarer.

Parotid sialography for diagnosing Sjögren syndrome

OBJECTIVE

Despite the availability of many new imaging procedures, sialography has, after decades of use, maintained its status as the imaging procedure of choice for evaluating the oral component of Sjögren syndrome (SS). In this study, the clinical value of sialography as a diagnostic tool in SS was explored by assessing its diagnostic accuracy, observer bias, and staging potential.

METHODS

One hundred parotid sialograms were interpreted independently in a blinded fashion by 2 trained and 2 expert observers. Sialograms were derived from a group of consecutive patients referred for diagnostics of SS. Patients were categorized as SS and non-SS by the revised European classification criteria.

RESULTS

Trained observers reached a sensitivity of 95 and a specificity of 33% for SS by sialogram, whereas expert observers reached a sensitivity of 87 and a specificity of 84%. There was only "fair" interobserver agreement between trained and expert observers, whereas both expert observers showed "good" agreement with one another, according to Cohen's kappa. Intraobserver agreement was "good" to "very good" for all observers. The 4 different gradations of sialectasia, ie, punctate, globular, cavitary, and destructive, showed a weak but significant correlation with the duration of oral symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

This study markedly shows that the diagnostic value of parotid sialography for diagnosing SS greatly depends on the skills of the observer, implying that sialography lacks general applicability as a diagnostic tool in SS and requires specific expertise. Nevertheless, given its potentially high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing SS as well as its useful staging potential, sialography still has its use in the evaluation of the oral component of SS.

Morbidity from parotid sialography

OBJECTIVE

Sialography is commonly used for the diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome, although its invasive nature is often regarded as a serious drawback for routine usage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the morbidity and acceptability of parotid sialography using oil-based contrast fluid.

STUDY DESIGN

Twenty-four consecutive sialographic procedures were evaluated in terms of morbidity and the patient's acceptance of the procedure, assessed with a standardized questionnaire. Information was also obtained by recording relevant physical parameters during the procedure.

RESULTS

There was good acceptance of the sialographic procedure, and the morbidity was low. No signs of overfilling or false route were observed in any of the sialograms. On average, 0.74 mL of contrast fluid was infused with a velocity of 0.01 mL/s. The whole procedure was completed within 12 minutes.

CONCLUSIONS

Parotid sialography appears less invasive than is often thought. It had a low morbidity rate and was well accepted by the patients.