Case Series of Changes in Greyscale and Power Doppler Signals on Salivary Gland Ultrasonography after Treatment in Patients with Sjögren's Syndrome

Intern Med. 2024 Aug 1;63(15):2203-2208. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.2812-23. Epub 2023 Dec 18.

Abstract

The usefulness of greyscale (GS) in salivary gland ultrasonography for Sjögren's syndrome (SS) has been established; however, limited information is currently available on power Doppler signals (PDs), and changes after treatment remain unknown. PDs are considered to represent glandular inflammation, which indicates the worsening of GS in later years. We examined the changes in PDs in three immunosuppressant-treated SS patients. PDs decreased, along with GS and markers of disease activity, after treatment. PDs have the potential to provide insights into glandular inflammation in real time; however, large-scale studies on their clinical usefulness are needed.

Keywords: glandular inflammation; greyscale; power Doppler signals; salivary gland ultrasonography.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Salivary Glands* / diagnostic imaging
  • Sjogren's Syndrome* / diagnostic imaging
  • Sjogren's Syndrome* / drug therapy
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler*

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents