title: Diagnostic performance of MR imaging of three major salivary glands for Sjögren's syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We analyzed the diagnostic performance of the MR imaging findings of the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands to discriminate between patients with and without Sjögren's syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively analyzed the correlation between the MR imaging and histopathological findings obtained from 69 patients with clinically suspected Sjögren's syndrome. We evaluated the heterogeneous signal intensity distribution on T1- and T2-weighted images, the multiple high-signal-intensity spots on MR sialograms, and the volume of the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual salivary glands.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The multiple high-signal-intensity spots in the parotid gland showed the highest sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy (82% and 83%, respectively). In addition, the multiple high-signal-intensity spots and the heterogeneous signal intensity distribution in the submandibular gland showed high specificity (100% and 88%, respectively). The volume of the submandibular gland, but not that of the parotid or sublingual gland, was smaller in patients with Sjögren's syndrome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of multiple high-signal-intensity spots on an MR sialogram in the parotid gland should be considered the best diagnostic indicator for Sjögren's syndrome. The presence of spots, heterogeneity, and the change to smaller volumes in the submandibular gland were also helpful because of their high specificity, particularly in advanced cases.
authors: Department of Oral Diagnosis, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Sendai, Japan.
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Kojima
authors: Department of Oral Diagnosis, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Sendai, Japan.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Sakamoto
authors: Department of Oral Diagnosis, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Sendai, Japan.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Iikubo
authors: Department of Oral Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Sendai, Japan.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Kumamoto
authors: Department of Oral Diagnosis, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Sendai, Japan.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Muroi
authors: Department of Oral Diagnosis, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Sendai, Japan.
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Sugawara
authors: Department of Oral Diagnosis, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Sendai, Japan.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Satoh-Kuriwada
authors: Department of Oral Diagnosis, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Sendai, Japan.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Sasano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D013361:Sublingual Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology
keywords: Sjögren's syndrome; autoimmune disease; diagnostics; magnetic resonance imaging; salivary glands