Sjoegren's syndrome: MR imaging of the parotid gland

Abstract

To date, myoepithelial sialoadenitis (Sjoegren's syndrome) has been diagnosed with sialography and other techniques. First results of MR imaging offer new possibilities in the diagnostic imaging of this disease. Thirty-six patients with immunohistologically and serologically confirmed Sjoegren's syndrome and 25 patients suffering from other diseases, included as a control group, were examined by MR in transverse and coronal orientation. T-2-weighted sequences (TR/TE 1600/25/90) and T1-weighted sequences (TR/TE 500/25 ms) plain and after Gd-DTPA administration were obtained. In all patients the parotid gland showed characteristic internal patterns and abnormalities in gland size. There was a nonhomogeneous internal pattern with a characteristic speckled, honeycomb-like appearance visible especially on T2-weighted sequences. Enhancement with Gd-DTPA yielded no additional information. A staging system with four stages of Sjoegren's syndrome (no characteristic changes to a nodular and swollen gland) was developed. Magnetic resonance has become an important new tool in assessing parotid gland changes in patients suffering from Sjoegren's syndrome, and could well replace the more invasive and unpleasant diagnostic methods in the near future.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma involving the parotid gland: CT and MR imaging findings

“…6,[8][9][10] Based on the literature reports, 9,[18][19][20][21][22] CT and MRI findings of parotid lymphoepithelial lesions included bilateral enlargement with increased density, diffuse honeycomb-like appearance, or multiple solid-cystic changes of parenchyma, and dotted calcifications. Because the majority of parotid MALT lymphomas developed from lymphoepithelial lesions, the CT and MRI findings of both lesions may overlap each other.…”

Magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance sialography of parotid glands in primary Sj�gren's syndrome

“…The sensitivity of ultrasound examination has ranged from 47% to 89% and specificity from 82% to 100% in several studies (6 -11). MR imaging is considered the most reliable imaging method in assessing pathologic changes of the parotid gland (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17). Its sensitivity for glandular abnormalities warranting a diagnosis of SS has ranged from 70% to 100%, and specificity has been considered even better (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17).…”

Major Salivary Gland Imaging

“…The attenuation of this mass is the same as that of the pleomorphic adenoma in Figure 2 and less than that of the carcinoma in Figure 6. gland invoke a differential diagnosis of Warthin tumors (Fig 1) (36), multiple pleomorphic adenomas (18), oncocytomas, lymph nodes, lymphoma, acinic cell carcinoma, metastases (37), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related cysts and nodules (38), and Sjögren syndrome (39,40). Lymphoma, associated with Sjö-gren syndrome or not, may infiltrate the entire parotid gland or present as multiple lymph nodes in the gland.…”