title: Diagnostic utility of Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) imaging in primary Sjoegren`s syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the study was to assess the diagnostic utility of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS).
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred fifty-seven patients with sicca symptoms and/or salivary gland swelling were included. Sicca symptoms, Schirmer test, unstimulated whole saliva (UWS), SS-A/B antibodies, and histology were assessed according to American-European Consensus group (AECG) criteria. All patients underwent high-resolution ultrasound and ARFI imaging of the parotid (PG) and submandibular glands (SMG).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy patients were classified as having pSS. The remaining 87 patients suffered from idiopathic sicca (n = 24), rheumatoid arthritis (n = 12), sarcoidosis (n = 9), cutaneous/systemic lupus erythematosus (n = 7), scleroderma (n = 2), dermatomyositis (n = 1), HBV/HCV (n = 2), and panarteritis nodosa (n = 1), and disorders in 29 patients were classified as not otherwise specified. ARFI values of the PG were significantly higher in the pSS versus non-pSS groups (2.86 ± 0.07 m/s vs. 2.15 ± 0.11 m/s, p < 0.0001). ARFI imaging demonstrated diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of 81 % and 67 %, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In addition to histology, ARFI imaging was the most important diagnostic tool for identifying early pSS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  • Early stages in Sjögren's syndrome become apparent with major salivary gland enlargements. • Schirmer and unstimulated whole saliva tests demonstrated insufficient sensitivity/specificity for early-stage diagnosis. • Acoustic radiation force impulse imaging is a reliable tool for diagnosing early disease stages.
authors: Hals-Nasen-Ohrenklinik und Poliklinik, Technische Universität München, Ismaningerstrasse 22, 81675, München, Germany, a.knopf@lrz.tum.de.
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Knopf
authors: Benedikt
authors: B
authors: Hofauer
authors: Klaus
authors: K
authors: Thürmel
authors: Reinhard
authors: R
authors: Meier
authors: Konrad
authors: K
authors: Stock
authors: Murat
authors: M
authors: Bas
authors: Naglaa
authors: N
authors: Manour
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055815:Young Adult