Salivary gland ultrasound in children: a useful tool in the diagnosis of juvenile Sjögren's syndrome

Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2014 Jul-Aug;32(4):578-80. Epub 2014 May 21.

Abstract

Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is a systemic autoimmune disease uncommon in children, clinically characterized by recurrent parotitis at the onset, which is a common disorder in childhood, most of them of infectious origin. Juvenile pSS diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms and presence of autoantibodies, after exclusion of infectious or lymphoproliferative diseases. However, salivary gland ultrasound (SGU) shows typical features of pSS that can add useful information for the diagnosis of this disorder. We describe three patients who presented with recurrent parotitis in which characteristic autoantibodies and typical SGU pattern allow us to make the diagnosis of juvenile pSS. We suggest that in children with recurrent parotitis SGU and autoantibodies should be routinely performed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Age of Onset
  • Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Autoantibodies / blood
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Parotitis / etiology
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Salivary Glands / diagnostic imaging*
  • Salivary Glands / drug effects
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / blood
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / complications
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / diagnostic imaging*
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ultrasonography

Substances

  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Autoantibodies
  • Biomarkers

Supplementary concepts

  • Parotitis, Juvenile Recurrent