The purpose of this study was to examine the sialographic presentations of Sjögren's syndrome and SOX (sialadenitis, osteoarthritis, and xerostomia) syndrome and to establish whether changes in duct dimensions were a feature of these conditions.
The sialograms of 17 patients with Sjögren's syndrome, 18 patients with SOX syndrome, and 19 patients with no salivary gland disease were examined. Through the use of an A010 Solitaire Image Analysis System, ductal diameters were measured. The films were then assessed subjectively.
There was more sialectasis seen in the patients with Sjögren's syndrome than in the SOX group (chi-squared test: p < 0.01). There were no differences in duct diameter between the three groups. Control subjects with normal glands were shown to have narrower main ducts than has been previously reported, with an age-related widening of 1 degree and 2 degrees ducts.
Sialectasis is not a feature of SOX syndrome. Ductal narrowing should not be thought of as a feature of either SOX or Sjögren's syndrome.