Sonography diagnostic of Sjögren's syndrome as standard diagnostics? – 2 case reports from our clinic

Sjogren's syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disease with lymphocytic infiltration of the tear and salivary glands. This disease has a prevalence of 0.03-2.1% and is more common in women. It can appear secondary with other autoimmune diseases. In addition to sicca symptoms, the patients suffer from systemic manifestations, e.g. arthritis, fatigue, vasculitis, lung or kidney disease, especially with an increased risk of malignant lymphoma.

2 patients presented because of acute swelling of the neck. The younger patient had recurrent acute parotitis bilaterally with xerostomia. In response to specific questions, the patient reported about xerophthalmia, recurrent cough, myalgia, arthralgia, and fatigue. The second patient had Sjogren's syndrome as a secondary finding during the diagnosis of acute lymphadenitis colli with known rheumatoid arthritis. Sjögren's syndrome was suspected for the first time in the sonography. The suspicion was later backed up by positive immune serology.

Sjogren's syndrome is one of the most common autoimmune diseases that is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Short-term interdisciplinary diagnostics to initiate effective treatment is required. In addition to the major diagnostic criteria according to the AECG's score system, sonography has recently become established with very high sensitivity and specificity. In the absence of global standardization of the methodology, sonography has not been included in the new criteria for diagnosing Sjögren's syndrome. However, it should be considered in the next diagnostic criteria.

 

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Conflict of Interest

The author declares that there is no conflict of interest.

Publication History

Article published online:
24 May 2022