title: Diagnostic contribution of quantitative analysis of salivary scintigraphy in patients with suspected Sjögren's syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The evaluation of the salivary scintigraphy is part of the classification criteria of Sjögren's syndrome (SS). The aim of the study was to determine a method of quantitative evaluation of this technique with easy application and high diagnostic accuracy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A review was carried out on a total of 111 patients with clinical suspicion of SS, referred to our department over the last 4 years (94 women, range 14-82 years). Thirty-minute dynamic studies were performed after injection of (99m)Tc-pertechnetate, with secretory stimulus at 15 minutes. After drawing regions of interest in both parotids, submandibular glands, and in the background, quantitative parameters were determined. These included the ejection fraction, uptake ratio at 15 min, and the percentage uptake (PC). Based on the definitive diagnosis, the subjects were classified into patients with SS, with sicca syndrome, and healthy subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant differences were found between the SS group and healthy subjects in the 3 quantitative parameters for the 4 glands. Significant differences in the PC parameter were observed between the group with sicca syndrome and healthy subjects. ROC analysis showed that the best differentiation parameter for the 3 groups was the PC in both parotid and submandibular glands.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The quantitative analysis of salivary scintigraphy has proved to be a useful method and easy to apply in daily practice to differentiate patients with SS from healthy subjects, with the PC, both in parotid and submandibular glands, being the parameter with highest diagnostic accuracy.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Infante
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: García
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Rayo
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Serrano
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Domínguez
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moreno
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012372:ROC Curve; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging / Q000379:methods; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013670:Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D013670:Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m
keywords: Análisis cuantitativo; Gammagrafía salival; Quantitative analysis; Salivary scintigraphy; Sicca syndrome; Sjögren's syndrome; Síndrome de Sjögren; Síndrome seco