Ultra-High Frequency Ultrasonography in Sjögren's Syndrome

Patients diagnosed with a diagnosis of Sjogren's syndrome performed according to the ACR/EULAR criteria will be included in the study. Sjogren's syndrome diagnosis will be performed following a complete diagnostic work-up involving rheumatologic assessment, glandular functional tests, and blood testing for anti-Ro(SSA) antibodies. Conventional ultrasonography of major salivary glands and ultra-high frequency ultrasonography (70 MHz) of minor salivary glands will be performed, and the scans assessed using the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) scoring system (Score 0 normal glandular tissue, Score 1 mild glandular alteration, fine echogenicity or diffuse hypo-echogenicity, Score 2 moderate glandular alteration and focal hypoechoic areas with partial conservation of normal parenchyma, Score 3 diffuse presence of hypoechoic areas in the absence of normal glandular parenchyma with glandular fibrosis. Focus Score will be assessed following biopsy of minor salivary glands.