Diagnostic performance of serology against histologic assessment to diagnose Sjogren's syndrome: a systematic review.

The objective of this review was to assess and evaluate whether the published diagnostic accuracy studies provide evidence to sustain the current diagnostic guidelines put forth by ACR/EULAR used for patients with suspected Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Literature databases, including Medline, Embase, and EBM Reviews, were searched for relevant studies on the correlation between ACR/EULAR criteria, particularly those with a direct comparison between their accuracy in diagnosing Sjögren's syndrome. We followed Cochrane, QUADAS-2, and STARD guidelines and the four-phase flow diagram by the PRISMA Statement. Reports in several languages, but only human studies were considered. Three studies assessed the accuracy of the current diagnostic tests, and these did not present adequate designs that would allow a well-supported conclusion with a high level of certainty. Due to significant clinical and methodological heterogeneity, a meta-analysis was not performed. A qualitative review of the papers was undertaken. Neither the comparative nor the non-comparative study designs permit conclusive recommendations regarding an alternative diagnostic pathway for SS. Well-designed studies of the diagnostic accuracy of SS tests are needed to validate current guidelines or to suggest changes to the current guidelines.

Long-term outcomes of submandibular gland transfer for prevention of postradiation xerostomia.

BACKGROUND: Xerostomia is a permanent and devastating sequela of head and neck irradiation, and its numerous consequences affect most aspects of the patient's life. A new method of preserving and protecting a single submandibular gland from radiation damage through the Seikaly-Jha procedure (SJP) has recently been described. OBJECTIVE: To report the long-term outcomes of the SJP. DESIGN: Inception cohort. Patients The trial was conducted between February 1, 1999, and February 1, 2002. All patients were followed up through the head and neck cancer clinic at the Cross Cancer Institute. All data were collected by a dedicated research nurse. Salivary function was evaluated at regular intervals with salivary flow studies and questionnaires. RESULTS: Ninety-six patients were enrolled in the study, and 38 had a minimum of 2 years' follow-up. The cohort of 38 patients was composed of 2 groups: 26 patients had preservation of one submandibular gland through the SJP, while the remaining 12 did not. Salivary flow was preserved in the SJP group, in which 83% of patients reported normal amounts of saliva 2 years after radiotherapy, compared with none in the SJP group. There were no disease recurrences on the side of the transferred gland or in the submental space. There were no surgical complications attributed to the transfer procedure. CONCLUSIONS: The SJP prevented xerostomia in 83% of the study patients. The approach appears to be oncologically sound and safe.

Prevention of radiation induced xerostomia by surgical transfer of submandibular salivary gland into the submental space.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Xerostomia is a significant morbidity of radiation treatment in the management of head and neck cancers. We hypothesized that the surgical transfer of one submandibular salivary gland to the submental space, where it can be shielded from radiation treatment (XRT), would prevent xerostomia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective Phase II clinical trial and the patients were followed clinically with salivary flow studies and the University of Washington Quality of Life questionnaire. RESULTS: We report the results on 76 evaluable patients. The salivary gland transfer was done in 60 patients. Nine patients (of 60) did not have postoperative XRT and in eight patients (of 60) the transferred gland was not shielded from XRT due to proximity of disease. The median follow up is 14 months. Of the 43 patients with the salivary gland transfer and post-operative XRT with protection of the transferred gland, 81% have none or minimal xerostomia, and 19% developed moderate to severe xerostomia. Three patients (6.9%) developed local recurrence, five patients (11.6%) developed distant metastases and five patients (11.6%) have died. There were no complications attributed to the surgical procedure. CONCLUSION: Surgical transfer of a submandibular salivary gland to the submental space preserves its function and prevents the development of radiation induced xerostomia.