This study compared the quantitative characteristics of salivary gland scintigraphy in patients with Sjogren's syndrome with the histopathologic grading of labial biopsy.
Thirty-nine patients with Sjögren's syndrome were studied by salivary gland scintigraphy and labial biopsy. Twelve normal volunteers were also studied as a control group for scintigraphic parameters. After injection of 370 MBq 99mTc sodium pertechnetate, dynamic salivary scintigraphy with lemon juice stimulation was performed for 50 min. Functional parameters for the parotid and submandibular glands were calculated, and scintigraphic and histopathologic results were compared.
With the progression of histopathologic grades 1-4, the velocity of tracer secretion decreased in the parotid gland (P < 0.05), and the quantity of tracer accumulation decreased in the submandibular gland (P < 0.05). The histopathologic grade in patients with Sjögren's syndrome was correlated with these scintigraphic parameters (P < 0.05): Histopathologic grade = 2.304 - 0.014 x (submandibular gland maximum accumulation) + 0.196 x (parotid gland time interval of tracer secretion).
Decreased secretion velocity in the parotid gland and decreased accumulation in the submandibular gland were sensitive indicators of salivary gland disease in Sjögren's syndrome. The histopathologic grade was correlated with these scintigraphic parameters.