Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Parotid Glands and Lip Biopsy in the Evaluation of Xerostomia in Sjögren's Syndrome

Abstract

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the parotid glands was performed in 23 patients with dry mouth. Each patient underwent lip salivary gland (LSG) biopsy and complete clinical and immunological assessment. MRI showed a quite specific nodular pattern in the parotid glands of patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS), especially those with severe histologic abnormalities in LSG. However no significant correlation could be detected between MRI score and both LSG biopsy class and immunological abnormalities.

MRI of the parotid glands can be regarded as a useful noninvasive procedure with high positive predictive value for the evaluation of the salivary component in SS.

Key Words:

• Sjögren's syndrome
• parotid gland
• xerostomia
• nuclear magnetic resonance
• minor salivary gland biopsy