Diagnostic accuracy of the ultrasonographic changes in major salivary glands with sjogrens syndrome ( Iraqi sample)‎

Abstract EN

Background ln recent years, the accuracy of new imaging modalities have widely improved and replaced conventional examinations in scientific research.

Among them, ultrasound of the major salivary glands seems the most attractive as a non-invasive, inexpensive, and non-irradiating investigation.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the use of ultrasonography as a diagnostic tool in Sjogren's syndrome.

Materials and methods: Ultrasonographic examination was performed on the parotid and submandibular glands glands of 33 patients diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome and 33 volunteer control subjects of matched sex and age (age range 30-73 years).

Five parameters were assessed by a semiquantitative scoring system in both paired parotid and submandibular glands for each participant according to a semi-quantitative scoring system, these five parameters were the echogenicity, inhomogeneity, the presence of hypoechogenic areas, the hyperechogenic reflections and clearness of the salivary gland borders.

Finally the ultrasonic scores of the Sjogren's syndrome cases group were compared to those of control group.

Results: The mean of the total ultrasonic score of the Sjogren's syndrome cases was (25.8) which was significantly higher than that of controls (4.1), the mean of total ultrasonic score in the Sjogren's syndrome cases was highest (30.2) in the duration above 10 years.

The diagnostic performance for the total score by receiver operating characteristics curve was 0.986 with P <0.001 and by using 15 as the cut-off score in this study, the diagnostic sensitivity for Sjogren's syndrome was 81.8% and specificity 97.0%.

Conclusion: Ultrasound of major salivary glands could be used as a first-line imaging diagnostic tool in the evaluation of oral involvement in patients suspected of having Sjogren's syndrome and the semi-quantitative scoring system of major salivary glands shows higher diagnostic value in the evaluation of this oral involvement.