To establish a modified dynamic ⁹⁹Tc^m-pertechnetate salivary gland scintigraphy(SGS) method, and to evaluate the value in the diagnosis of Sjögren′s syndrome(SS) by comparing SGS with labial gland biopsy (LGB).

A total of 204 patients (21 males, 183 females, age range 20-85 years) with suspected SS who underwent the modified dynamic SGS and LGB were enrolled in this prospective study. Uptake ratio (UR) and excretion fraction (EF) of the left parotid gland (LPG), the right parotid gland (RPG), the left submandibular gland (LSG) and the right submandibular gland (RSG) were calculated. Two-sample t test was used for data analysis. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy of the modified dynamic SGS and LGB were calculated, and χ² test was used for data analysis.

SS was confirmed in 113 patients, including 79 patients with primary SS and 34 patients with secondary SS. SS was excluded in 88 patients. The UR and EF of the SS group (LPG: 1.95±1.04 and (52.2±19.5)%, RPG: 1.96±1.06 and (55.0±21.1)%, LSG: 2.65±1.12 and (25.9±14.1)%, RSG: 2.72±1.30 and (29.7±14.7)%) were significantly lower than those of the non-SS group (LPG: 3.08±1.10 and (65.9±12.7)%, RPG: 3.26±1.16 and (66.4±12.6)%, LSG: 3.71±1.31 and (43.2±12.3)%, RSG: 3.74±1.39 and (46.6±11.5)%; t=4.40-9.00, all P<0.05). The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy of the modified dynamic SGS were 99.1%(112/113), 72.7%(64/88), 87.6%(176/201), respectively, while those of LGB were 83.2%(94/113), 96.6%(85/88), 89.1%(179/201), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of SGS method were significantly different from those of LGB (χ²=15.9, 17.5, both P<0.05).

The modified dynamic SGS can reduce the acquisition time and has a high sensitivity for SS. When combined with LGB, it will improve the diagnostic accuracy for SS.

Sjögren′s syndrome; Salivary glands; Radionuclide imaging; Biopsy; Sodium pertechnetate Tc99m