Can salivary gland ultrasonography replace salivary gland biopsy in the diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome?

Ultrasound is a promising diagnostic method when it comes to assessing the involvement of major salivary glands in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). A matter of debate is whether ultrasound of the major salivary glands (SGUS) can replace a salivary gland biopsy in the diagnosis or classification of pSS. The intra- and inter-observer reliability of SGUS was found to be good, especially when focusing on hypoechogenic areas and homogeneity, and comparable to the reliability of histopathologic characteristics of salivary gland biopsies of pSS patients.

Lymphoepithelial lesions in the salivary glands of primary Sjögren's syndrome patients: the perfect storm?

In patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), inflamed salivary gland (SG) tissue may contain lymphoepithelial lesions (LELs). LELs are histopathological phenomena whereby B cells are present in hyperplastic ductal epithelium of the SG. Despite the potential role of LELs in pSS pathogenesis, studies on their formation, detection, and prevalence in benign lesions (not complicated with lymphoma) are scarce.