Sonography of lacrimal glands in Sjögren syndrome

This study evaluates the potential role of high resolution sonography and color Doppler sonography in the evaluation of the lacrimal glands in Sjögren syndrome. We examined 15 women (age range, 52-73 years) affected by Sjogren syndrome and 15 women with no history and signs of lacrimal disease (age range, 47-75 years). The lacrimal glands were visualized bilaterally in 6 of 15 patients. The lacrimal artery was detectable in all patients; the resistive index was higher than normal (0.72+/-0.04). An abnormal Schirmer test was present in six of six patients with visible glands and in two of nine patients with invisible glands; xerophthalmia was present in six of six patients with visible glands and in four of nine patients with invisible glands; high levels of serum immunoglobulins were present in six of six patients with visible glands and in three of nine patients with invisible glands. Sonography is able to provide noninvasively much of the information needed by the clinician.