To define diagnostic value of parotid gland (PG) sonography in Sjogren's syndrome (SS) as compared to sialography and morphological changes of labial salivary glands (LSG).
Examination of 50 females with primary (20 patients) and secondary (30 patients) SS consisted of clinical, ultrasonic, x-ray and morphological investigations.
Sonographically, PG in SS is characterized by nonhomogeneity of parenchymal picture detected in 75% of patients with primary and 50% of patients with secondary SS. Moderate and severe nonhomogeneity of PG parenchyma was seen in the stage of marked manifestations of chronic parenchymatous parotitis.
Relationship between PG sonographic image in SS and morphological changes in LSG need further study. PG sonography may help in combined examination of SS patients.