ultrasound scanning of the submandibular gland for examining sjogren&#39;s syndrome

Técnica para el examen ecográfico de glándulas salivales del síndrome de Sjögren

Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocytic infiltration in exocrine glands, including the salivary and lacrimal glands. Xerostomia, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, and extraglandular manifestations, including arthralgia, cytopenia, and lymphoma, are described in patients with SS. SS can be divided into primary and secondary types, in which the latter occurs in association with other connective tissue diseases. In the 2016 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) classification criteria for primary SS, anti-SSA/Ro positivity and lymphocytic infiltration in labial salivary gland biopsy contributed to the two major criteria, whereas Schirmer's test, ocular staining score, and unstimulated salivary flow represented the rest of the minor criteria1. The criteria are summarized in Table 1. Labial biopsy is an invasive procedure with potential complications, including sampling error, sensory loss, and hematoma formation2. Ocular staining tests and salivary flow assessment require specialized settings and might not be widely available. 
Salivary gland ultrasonography (SGUS) is a non-invasive imaging modality that provides a detailed examination of the superficial salivary gland structure, which is commonly affected in patients with SS. Lymphocytic infiltration and inflammation in the salivary glands often lead to fatty infiltration, fibrosis, and loss of parenchyma, resulting in parenchymal inhomogeneity detected in SGUS3. The Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Clinical Trials (OMERACT) working group derived an ultrasound scoring system from grades 0 to 3 to semi-quantify inhomogeneity and the presence of hypoechoic areas within the parotid or submandibular glands4. A cutoff of grade 2 or above in at least one gland was found to correlate with positive labial biopsies, sialometry, and positive autoantibodies5. It demonstrated excellent specificity and good sensitivity in fulfilling the 2016 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for primary SS when given similar weight as the minor criteria. This protocol presents a standardized and practical approach for diagnosing SGUS in SS in clinical settings.

Autor destacado: Un enfoque en el protocolo estandarizado de ultrasonido de glándulas salivales en la investigación de enfermedades del tejido conectivo

Evaluación ultrasonográfica de las glándulas salivales para el síndrome de Sjögren: información diagnóstica y de seguimiento

Our research focus is connective tissue diseases, including Sjogren's syndrome, and we will describe a standardized approach to saliva and ultrasound in diagnosing Sjogren's syndrome. We hope the protocol will be useful for clinicians unfamiliar with doing ultrasound to enhance its application in clinical practice. Ultrasound is a powerful tool in evaluating various rheumatological conditions, including arthritis, sjogren syndrome, and interstitial lung disease.It is helpful in diagnosis, monitoring and prognostication. It can be applied as an outcome measure in clinical studies such as detecting subclinical synovitis to assess the risk of rheumatoid arthritis progression. Ultrasound is an operator-dependent procedure and the result may be unreliable if inexperienced, hence performed.Well validated and quantitative measurements are often needed to standardize the description and reporting of pathological sonographic findings before they can be applied in clinical practice and research. In this procedure, we will describe how to conduct a salivary gland ultrasound in patients with sicker symptoms. This approach is easy to perform and can usually be completed within 10 to 15 minutes.We'll also demonstrate techniques to perform reliable and reproducible results to ensure the quality of the ultrasound scanning. Our center will continue to research on applying ultrasound in diagnosis and monitoring in rheumatology. We will research utilizing lung ultrasound for screening of interstitial lung disease associated with connective tissue diseases, hoping to improve the current screening strategy for lung fibrosis in rheumatology patients.

Ecografía de la glándula submandibular para examinar el síndrome de Sjögren

Coloque al paciente en posición supina con la cabeza inclinada al máximo hacia atrás. Para obtener la vista transversal de la glándula submandibular, coloque el transductor justo debajo del ángulo de la mandíbula en el área submandibular. Examine toda la glándula submandibular de anterior a posterior, la mandíbula, los músculos milohioideos y el vientre anterior de los músculos digástricos que la unen.Obtenga la vista longitudinal colocando la sonda medial al cuerpo horizontal de la mandíbula. Visualiza la arteria facial en este plano. Guarde y etiquete las imágenes en las vistas transversal y longitudinal de la glándula submandibular.Evaluar el tamaño de la glándula submandibular. Examinar la ecogenicidad de la glándula submandibular, que suele ser menos ecogénica que la glándula parótida. Evaluar el grado de falta de homogeneidad, la claridad del margen de la glándula y la presencia de áreas hipo o anecoicas dentro de las glándulas.Nótese la presencia de lesiones focales. Califica el grado de falta de homogeneidad utilizando la puntuación OMERACT. Si la evaluación de la glándula no es posible debido a parámetros cualitativos, siga los parámetros de clasificación alternativos.Medir el tamaño de los ganglios linfáticos submandibulares, evaluar los hilos grasos, la forma, la ecogenicidad y la conservación. Repita la exploración en la glándula submandibular contralateral y compare el tamaño y la textura del eco entre las dos glándulas submandibulares. Las glándulas submandibulares normales mostraron una clara demarcación con las estructuras suprayacentes.

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

Ultrasound Scanning of the Submandibular Gland for Examining Sjogren&#39;s Syndrome

Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Salivary Glands for Sjogren's Syndrome: Diagnostic and Monitoring Insights

Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune condition commonly affecting the exocrine glands, causing oral or ocular dryness and extraglandular ...

Investigación

Medicina

Ultrasound Setting and Scanning of the Thyroid Gland for Examining Sjogren&#39;s Syndrome

Ecografía y exploración de la glándula tiroides para examinar el síndrome de Sjögren

Ultrasound Scanning of the Parotid Gland for Examining Sjogren&#39;s Syndrome

Ecografía de la glándula parótida para examinar el síndrome de Sjögren