Three Signs to Help Detect Sjögren’s Syndrome: Incidental Findings on Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography

Abstract

This study aimed to retrospectively investigate the prevalence of Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) among patients with ranulas, parotid cysts, or parotid calcifications; identify the characteristic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) findings of the lesions associated with SS; and compare the SS disease stages among SS patients with the three lesion types. A total of 228 patients with the lesions were classified into SS, possible SS, and non-SS groups. The prevalence of SS among patients with ranulas, parotid cysts, or parotid calcifications was 16%, 24%, and 40%, and the rates of either SS or possible SS were 25%, 41%, and 64%, respectively. SS was associated with (i) ranulas: ≤17 mm; (ii) parotid cysts: bilateral and multiple; and (iii) parotid calcifications: in females, bilateral, multiple, parenchymal, and no coexisting calcifications in other tissues. SS patients with ranulas were significantly younger and had lower submandibular gland stage scores on MRI/CT than those with other lesions. Additionally, in 58% and 15% of SS patients with ranulas and parotid calcifications, respectively, detection of the lesions led to the diagnosis of primary SS. Therefore, recognizing the prevalence of SS among patients with these lesions and the findings associated with SS can help detect undiagnosed SS.

Macrocystic and non-necrotic salivary duct carcinoma of the submandibular gland: A case report

“…However, in this case, we investigated whether it was possible to arrive at a qualitative diagnosis based on findings of CT images. Clinically, differential diagnoses of cystic lesions in major salivary glands includes various benign and malignant conditions, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, Sjögren syndrome [11] , lymphoepithelial cyst [12] , cystadenoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, acinic cell carcinoma, intraductal carcinoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma, and secretory carcinoma [ 6 , 13 , 14 ]. CT findings of cystic lesions in major salivary glands are summarized in Table 1 .…”