Salivary Gland Scintigraphy in Subjects with and without Symptoms of Dry Mouth and/or Eyes, and in Patients with Primary Sjögren's Syndrome

Abstract

The major salivary glands were examined with 99m-Tc-pertechnetate scintigraphy in randomly selected subjects with (n = 30) and without (n = 12) symptoms of dry mouth and/or eyes, and in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (1°SS, n = 17). The scans were quantitatively evaluated and compared to other objective tests used to diagnose 1°SS.

As compared with those for asymtomatic subjects, most values for the scintigraphic variables were non-significantly lower for symptomatic-subjects and the time-activity curves were slightly flatter for all major salivary glands. In patients with 1°SS most values for the scintigraphic variables were significantly lowered and the submandibular glands were the glands most affected, as reflected in a flat time-activity curve, while the parotid glands were mainly affected during stimulated secretion. The scintigraphic variables correlated with the sell-rated dryness of mouth in symptomatic subjects and with the abnormality of sialometry results in patients with 1°SS. We conclude that salivary gland scintigraphy is a sensitive and valid method to measure salivary gland function and abnormalities.

Key Words:

• salivary gland scintigraphy
• xerostomia
• keratoconjuctivitis sicca
• primary Sjögren's syndrome