Dynamic magnetic resonance sialography as a new diagnostic technique for patients with Sjögren's syndrome

To evaluate the clinical utility of dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) sialographic images as a diagnostic tool for patients with Sjögren's syndrome.

The morphological findings and various kinds of functional parameters in volunteers on dynamic MR sialographic images were compared with those in five patients with definite Sjögren's syndrome.

On the MR sialographs of all five patients with Sjögren's syndrome, the so-called 'apple-tree appearance' was seen. The difference in two functional parameters using the dynamic MR sialographic data was elucidated between the two groups. The maximum area of the detectable ducts in the group of patients was significantly smaller (P < 0.001) than that in the group of volunteers. The ratio of change in the detectable ducts in the group of patients was significantly lower (P = 0.011) than that in the group of volunteers.

Our study suggests that dynamic MR sialographic data in addition to MR sialographic images might be useful for the diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome.