Ultrasound Characteristics of the Salivary Glands in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

"Salivary gland ultrasound is, a non-invasive, non-irradiating and easily accessible examination, offers promising results for the diagnosis of primary SS. It allows the identification of changes in the homogeneity of the echostructure of the main salivary glands in the parotid and submandibular region.The patient lies on the examination table with the head slightly turned to the side opposite the gland being examined. The examination will be done on the parotid and submandibular glands on both sides.The parotid glands will be measured in length and width.The surface of the gland will be calculated: (length x width)/2.The sub-maxillary glands will be measured in length and surface.~The exam will be performed in 10 minutes."

Saliva flow measurement, which consists of measuring the quantity of saliva that the patient can emit in 15 minutes

A strip of blotting paper graduated from five to five millimeters is placed in the eye for 5 minutes, avoiding any corneal contact.