Sonographic diagnostic criteria for screening Sjögren's syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study is to establish readily applied sonographic diagnostic criteria for Sjögren's syndrome.


METHODS
Sonographic images of 79 cases of previously suspected Sjögren's syndrome (including 43 actual cases) were analyzed retrospectively for the following characteristic features: (1) multiple hypoechoic areas, (2) multiple hyperechoic lines or spots, (3) multiple hypoechoic areas surrounded with hyperechoic lines or spots, and (4) obscuration of the gland configuration. Logistic regression analysis was used to extract valuable sonographic findings. Sonographic images of 80 prospective patients (of whom 48 proved to have Sjögren's syndrome) were scored prospectively using selected features to verify the usefulness of the established criteria.


RESULTS
Three sonographic findings in parotid and submandibular glands were selected by logistic regression analysis and retrospective and prospective patients compared. Experienced observers could differentiate positive cases of Sjögren's syndrome from negative controls to a highly significant degree. Findings correlated very well with sialographic grading.


CONCLUSIONS
Sonography can be substituted for sialography when applying the selected criteria in screening for Sjögren's syndrome.
Shimizu
Mayumi
M
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Maidashi 3-1-1, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, Japan. shimizu@rad.dent.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Okamura
Kazutoshi
K
Yoshiura
Kazunori
K
Ohyama
Yukiko
Y
Nakamura
Seiji
S
Kinukawa
Naoko
N
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography