Treatment response of colorectal cancer liver metastases to neoadjuvant or conversion therapy: a prospective multicentre follow-up study using MRI, diffusion-weighted imaging and 1H-MR spectroscopy compared with histology (subgroup in the RAXO trial).

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer liver metastases respond to chemotherapy and targeted agents not only by shrinking, but also by morphologic and metabolic changes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods in predicting treatment response and survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We investigated contrast-enhanced MRI, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in diffusion-weighted imaging and 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) in detecting early morphologic and metabolic changes in borderline or resectable liver metastases, as a response to first-line neoadjuvant or conversion therapy in a prospective substudy of the RAXO trial (NCT01531621, EudraCT2011-003158-24). MRI findings were compared with histology of resected liver metastases and Kaplan-Meier estimates of overall survival (OS). RESULTS: In 2012-2018, 52 patients at four Finnish university hospitals were recruited. Forty-seven patients received neoadjuvant or conversion chemotherapy and 40 liver resections were carried out. Low ADC values (below median) of the representative liver metastases, at baseline and after systemic therapy, were associated with partial response according to RECIST criteria, but not with morphologic MRI changes or histology. Decreasing ADC values following systemic therapy were associated with improved OS compared to unchanged or increasing ADC, both in the liver resected subgroup (5-year OS rate 100% and 34%, respectively, P = 0.022) and systemic therapy subgroup (5-year OS rate 62% and 23%, P = 0.049). 1H-MRS revealed steatohepatosis induced by systemic therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Low ADC values at baseline or during systemic therapy were associated with treatment response by RECIST but not with histology, morphologic or detectable metabolic changes. A decreasing ADC during systemic therapy is associated with improved OS both in all patients receiving systemic therapy and in the resected subgroup.

Restored pelvic anatomy is preserved after laparoscopic and robot-assisted ventral rectopexy: MRI-based 5-year follow-up of a randomized controlled trial.

AIM: Our aim was to compare the long-term anatomical outcomes between robot-assisted ventral mesh rectopexy (RVMR) and laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy (LVMR) for external or internal rectal prolapse. METHOD: This study is a follow-up of a single-centre randomized controlled trial (RCT). Thirty patients were randomly allocated to RVMR (n = 16) or LVMR (n = 14). The primary end-point was maintenance of the restored pelvic anatomy 5 years after the operation, as assessed by magnetic resonance (MR) defaecography. Secondary outcome measures included the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) measures and functional results assessed using symptom questionnaires. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients (14 RVMR and 12 LVMR) completed the 5-year follow-up and were included in the study. The MRI results, POP-Q measurements and symptom-specific quality of life measures did not differ between the RVMR and LVMR groups. The MRI measurements of the total study population remained unchanged between 3 months and 5 years. In the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20), the RVMR group had lower symptom scores (mean 96.0, SD 70.7) than the LVMR group (mean 160.6, SD 58.9; P = 0.004). In the subscales of pelvic organ prolapse (POPDI-6) (mean 23.2, SD 24.3 vs mean 52.4, SD 22.4; P = 0.001) and the Colorectal-Anal Distress Inventory (CRADI-8) (mean 38.4, SD 23.3 vs mean 58.6, SD 25.4; P = 0.009), the patients in the RVMR group had significantly better outcomes. CONCLUSION: After VMR, the corrected anatomy was preserved. There were no clinically significant differences in anatomical results between the RVMR and LVMR procedures 5 years after surgery based on MR defaecography. However, functional outcomes were better after RMVR.

A prospective pilot study on MRI visibility of iron oxide-impregnated polyvinylidene fluoride mesh after ventral rectopexy.

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides excellent information about pelvic anatomy after ventral rectopexy, but the position of the conventional mesh is not seen constantly. Iron oxide-impregnated polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) meshes are proven to have MRI visibility in hernia or vaginal reconstructive surgery. This prospective pilot study was designed to assess the visualization, position, and shape of the magnetic resonance (MR)-visible synthetic pelvic mesh used in minimally invasive ventral rectopexy. METHODS: Eight patients with pelvic organ prolapse were recruited for laparoscopic (LVMR) or robotic-assisted ventral mesh rectopexy (RVMR) with a synthetic MR-visible PVDF mesh. A follow-up visit was scheduled at 3 months after surgery. MR imaging was performed to evaluate the position and dimensions of the mesh and anatomical result. The visibility of the mesh in each sequence was assessed subjectively. RESULTS: The visibility of the mesh was best on T1-weighted flash images. The mesh was also well visualized on T2-weighted sagittal images. T2-weighted images, in general, provided best visualization of the surrounding anatomical structures and enabled assessment of the mesh fixation. CONCLUSIONS: T2 sagittal and T1-weighted flash images provide the best information about the position and integrity of the iron oxide-impregnated PVDF mesh after LVMR or RVMR with a short examination time.

Robot-assisted vs laparoscopic ventral rectopexy for external or internal rectal prolapse and enterocele: a randomized controlled trial.

AIM: The purpose of this prospective randomized study was to compare robot-assisted and laparoscopic ventral rectopexy procedures for posterior compartment procidentia in terms of restoration of the anatomy using magnetic resonance (MR) defaecography. METHOD: Sixteen female patients (four with total prolapse, twelve with intussusception) underwent robot-assisted ventral mesh rectopexy (RVMR) and 14 female patients (two with prolapse, twelve with intussusception) laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy (LVMR). Primary outcome measures were perioperative parameters, complications and restoration of anatomy as assessed by MR defaecography, which was performed preoperatively and 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: Patient demographics, operation length, operating theatre times and length of in-hospital stay were similar between the groups. The anatomical defects of rectal prolapse, intussusception and rectocele and enterocele were similarly corrected after rectopexy in either technique as confirmed with dynamic MR defaecography. A slight residual intussusception was observed in three patients with primary total prolapse (two RVMR vs one LVMR) and in one patient with primary intussusception (RVMR) (P = 0.60). Rectocele was reduced from a mean of 33.0 ± 14.9 mm to 5.5 ± 8.4 mm after RVMR (P < 0.001) and from 24.7 ± 17.5 mm to 7.2 ± 3.2 mm after LVMR (P < 0.001) (RVMR vs LVMR, P = 0.10). CONCLUSION: Robot-assisted laparoscopic ventral rectopexy can be performed safely and within the same operative time as conventional laparoscopy. Minimally invasive ventral rectopexy allows good anatomical correction as assessed by MR defaecography, with no differences between the techniques.

Justification of CT examinations in young adults and children can be improved by education, guideline implementation and increased MRI capacity.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the justification of CT examinations performed on young patients can be improved by various interventions and whether these have an effect on the total number of CTs performed. METHODS: Specific interventions-education, guideline implementation and increased MRI capacity-were introduced at the Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland, following a previous study demonstrating unjustified use of CT examination in young patients. In the present study, the justification of 177 CT examinations of the lumbar and cervical spine, head, abdomen, nasal sinuses and trauma performed on patients aged under 35 years in 2009 was analysed retrospectively by looking at requests and corresponding patient files. The indications of the examinations were compared with the referral guidelines recommended by the European Commission. Results from our previously published similar study carried out before the interventions were used as a reference. RESULTS: The proportion of justified CT examinations increased from 71% (141/200) in 2005 to 87% (154/177) in 2009 (p<0.001), and in the lumbar spine group from 23% (7/30) to 81% (22/27) (p<0.001). In the case of most of the unjustified examinations, MRI could have been performed instead. The total number of CT examinations carried out on young patients decreased by 7% (p=0.012) and in the lumbar spine group by 79% (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The implemented interventions decreased the number of CT examinations performed on young patients, and the justification of the examinations improved significantly. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: This study demonstrates that it is possible to reduce the number of various CT examinations and to improve their justification in young patients by regular education, guideline implementation and increased MRI capacity.

Sweating impairment in patients with multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: To measure sweating in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sweating was measured by an evaporimeter after a heating stimulus in 29 MS patients and in 15 healthy control subjects. RESULTS: The MS patients sweated markedly less than the controls. After 10 min of heating the sweating was significantly lower in the forehead (P = 0.034), feet (right, P = 0.033; left, P = 0.037) and legs (right, P = 0.043; left, P = 0.029) of the MS patients than in those of the controls. After 15 min of heating the difference was statistically significant only in the feet (right, P = 0.043; left, P = 0.029). The Expanded Disability Status Scale score correlated inversely with sweating at 15 min of heating in the left hand (r = 0.42, P < 0.05), and in the left (r = 0.36, P < 0.05) and right foot (r = 0.37, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: MS is associated with an impairment in thermoregulatory sweating which seems to be related to the disease severity.

Local staging of rectal cancer using the black lumen magnetic resonance imaging technique.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The treatment of rectal cancer is comprised of surgery and possible adjuvant therapy depending on the stage of the tumour. This prospective study evaluates the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the preoperative staging of rectal cancer using an endorectal and intravenous contrast. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 37 consecutive patients with rectal cancer were imaged using a mixture of ferumoxsil and methylcellulose endorectally, and a gadolinium contrast intravenously. 33 tumours were resected and 4 tumours were considered unresectable during operation. The images were reviewed for local staging of the tumours. A tumour confined to the rectal wall was classified as a negative finding and a tumour invading through muscularis propria as a positive finding. The results were correlated with the histopathologic t stage (n = 33), or the clinical status (n = 4). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: of 37 cases, 20 (51 %) were true positive, and 11 (28%) were true negative. There were 3 false negative and 3 false positive cases. The sensitivity was 87%, specificity 79%, and diagnostic accuracy 84%. for the non-contrast images the figures were 78%, 79% and 78%, respectively. We consider black lumen magnetic resonance imaging to be a useful method for preoperative local staging of rectal cancer.

Sympathetic skin responses in multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the sympathetic skin responses (SSRs) and their correlation with brain lesion volumes in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The SSRs were measured in 27 patients with MS and 27 healthy controls. The volumes of the proton density-weighted MS lesions in the brain were measured using MRI. RESULTS: The SSRs were abnormal in 52% of the patients with MS, but absent only in clinically severe MS. The total lesion volume in the whole brain correlated significantly with both the severity of MS expressed by the EDSS score (P < 0.001) and the decreased SSR amplitudes in the feet (P < 0.01). Focal lesion volumes in the temporal lobe (P < 0.01), in the pons (P < 0.01) and in the cerebellum (P < 0.01) were also separately associated with abnormal SSR reflexes. CONCLUSIONS: Sudomotor regulation failure in MS is associated with certain focal MS lesions.

Brain atrophy evaluated by computed tomography in independent and institutionalized hip fracture patients.

PURPOSE: To examine if there is an association between brain computed tomography (CT) findings and place of residence in a series of hip fracture patients. METHOD: The CT scans taken immediately after hip fracture of 215 patients (mean age 81.6 years) living in their own homes or otherwise independently (home-dwelling group) and 95 patients (mean age 82.5 years) permanently institutionalized (institutionalized group) were analysed. RESULTS: The institutionalized patients had significantly more cortical cerebral (frontal, p = 0.004; temporal, p = 0.007; parietal, p < 0.001) and central cerebral (third ventricle width, p < 0.001; frontal horn width, p < 0.001; midbody width, p < 0.001) atrophy than the home-dwelling ones. This was also true of atrophy in the white-matter (WM) area (p < 0.001). The institutionalized patients also had more atrophy of the cerebellar hemisphere (atrophy of the cerebellopontine angle cistern, p = 0.002, greater fourth ventricle width, p = 0.020). No significant difference was seen in the incidence of brain infarcts. CONCLUSIONS: Hip fracture patients living in institutions have more brain atrophy than those living independently. The brain atrophy may be one factor in the multiple mechanism underlying their institutional admission.

Cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction correlates with brain MRI lesion load in MS.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the cardiovascular autonomic control in clinically definite multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with a standardised battery of cardiovascular tests and to correlate these findings with the brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesion load. METHODS: Fifty-one patients with MS and 50 healthy controls were studied. Brain MRI was performed in all patients showing typical MS lesions. The cardiovascular tests were carried out using a standardised battery. RESULTS: Heart rate (HR) responses to deep breathing (P < 0.05) and tilt table testing (P < 0.001) were significantly decreased in MS patients when compared to those of the controls. Blood pressure (BP) responses in the tilt table test were also impaired in MS patients (diastolic P < 0.001, systolic P < 0.05). Of the different brain areas investigated the total volume of the midbrain MRI lesions (P < 0.05) was the one most clearly associated with the impaired BP responses. CONCLUSIONS: MS results in both reduced HR variation and decreased BP reactions indicating disturbed cardiovascular regulation. In particular, the midbrain lesions found in MS are associated with cardiovascular dysfunction.

Ultrasonography of salivary glands in primary Sjogren's syndrome. A comparison with magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance sialography of parotid glands.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate ultrasonography (US) of salivary glands in primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and to compare US with parotid magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and MR sialography. METHODS: US examination of parotid, submandibular and sublingual glands was performed on 27 patients with primary SS, 27 healthy controls and 27 symptomatic controls without SS. The results were compared with parotid MR imaging and MR sialography and the clinical features of the patients. RESULTS: Salivary gland abnormalities, parenchymal inhomogeneity or adipose degeneration, were visualized in 21 (78%) SS patients, in one healthy control and in two symptomatic controls by US. Eighteen (67%) patients had changes in the parotid and submandibular glands and 8 (30%) changes in the sublingual glands. In the comparison, MR sialography was found to be the most sensitive method (96%), followed by MR imaging (81%) and US (78%), in detecting glandular changes. The specificity of US was 94%. The US and MR results were related to anti-Ro/SSA positivity but not to saliva secretion. The focus scores were related only to parotid MR imaging findings. CONCLUSIONS: US, MR imaging and MR sialography with modern technology have reached such a good accuracy in visualizing glandular structural changes that they are promising alternatives to the conventional invasive examinations in the diagnostics of SS.

Language development in very low birth weight preterm children: a follow-up study.

The language development of 17 very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm children was compared with that of matched controls at the ages of 2 and 4 years. At the age of 2 years, the VLBW preterm children achieved significantly lower scores in the language comprehension test than their matched controls. In addition, they used shorter and more immature sentences. At the age of 4 years, difficulties in the VLBW preterm children manifested as deficiencies in language comprehension, naming and auditory discrimination. The language test results at the age of 2 years significantly correlated with those at the age of 4 years, but mainly in the preterm group. The highest and most frequent correlations were found between the language test scores at 2 years and the auditory discrimination test scores at 4 years. The only significant correlation to be found in the control group was between the vocabulary test score at 2 years and the consonant discrimination test score at 4 years. Therefore, language development of the VLBW preterm children should be measured and monitored from toddler age onwards. Special attention should be paid to measurements of auditory processing. While the results of the present study, however, represent mainly the outcome in a group of VLBW preterm children with changes in the neonatal MRI, the results should not be generalized to all VLBW preterm children.

Febrile seizures and mesial temporal sclerosis: No association in a long-term follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether febrile seizures cause mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS), the occurrence of MTS was evaluated in an unselected series of patients with febrile seizures. METHODS: Twenty-four patients with a prolonged first febrile seizure, 8 with an unprovoked seizure after the first febrile seizure, and 32 age-, sex-, and handedness-matched control subjects with a single simple febrile seizure without later unprovoked seizures were selected from 329 febrile seizure patients followed up prospectively. The occurrence of MTS was evaluated after a mean follow-up time of 12.3 years by MR volumetry of amygdala and hippocampal formation and qualitative analysis of mesial temporal structures. RESULTS: None of the patients had MTS. The mean total volumes of the right and left hippocampal formations and amygdala did not differ significantly between any of the three groups. The qualitative analysis revealed no sclerotic changes in the mesial temporal area. The patients with a prolonged initial febrile seizure had a lower mean right-left volume difference in hippocampal formations than the control subjects, but this had no effect on the outcome. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of MTS following even prolonged febrile seizures is an uncommon event, confirming the good clinical outcome of febrile seizures.

Dynamics of contrast enhancement in MR imaging and power Doppler ultrasonography of solid breast lesions.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the dynamics of contrast enhancement in solid breast lesions at contrast-enhanced MR imaging and power Doppler ultrasonography (US) and to compare the methods to histology and to each other. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty breast lesions were prospectively examined with dynamic MR and power Doppler US. Time-signal intensity curves of enhancement were obtained for both methods. The shape of the curve was analyzed to be benign, indeterminate or malignant. The curves were also analyzed quantitatively by calculating the slope of the curve and the area under the curve (both methods), relative enhancement (MR), and time to peak (US). The lesions were divided into malignant lesions, fibroadenomas, and other benign lesions. The results were compared to histology. RESULTS: In the subjective analysis of the MR curve in differentiating between benign and malignant lesions the accuracy was 90%. The MR curve also enabled differentiation between fibroadenomas and malignancies. The accuracy of the US curve was 38%. Quantitatively, statistically significant differences were found using all the MR variables, except between malignancies and fibroadenomas. Using the US variables, no significant difference was found between the groups. CONCLUSION: The dynamics of contrast-enhanced MR were reliable in the differential diagnosis of solid breast lesions, but contrast-enhanced power Doppler US was of limited value.

MR of a nasal glioma in a young infant.

We describe MR findings of a nasal glioma in a 5-week-old male infant with feeding difficulties and symptoms of respiratory distress. Endoscopic examination revealed a soft tissue mass in the nasal cavity. In T1- and T2-weighted images, the gyral structure of grey matter was visible. In T1-weighted images, a tissue component with a lower signal intensity equal to that of white matter was also well distinguishable. Edge enhancement of the tumour was due to the nasal mucosal epithelium covering the tumour. MR images were useful to rule out intracranial extension of the nasal cavity lesion and the brain, thus excluding the diagnosis of encephalocele. The lesion was excised and histologically characterized as heterotopic brain tissue.

Brainstem size and function at term age in relation to later neurosensory disability in high-risk, preterm infants.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to measure brainstem size on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of high-risk. preterm infants, to assess brainstem function by brainstem auditory-evoked potentials (BAEP) and to determine the predictive value of these measures for the neurosensory outcome. A total of 51 preterm infants (gestational age <34 wk, birthweight <1,500 g) underwent examinations at term age; neuromotor outcome and hearing were followed up until a corrected age of 18 mo. Fourteen (27%) infants had neurosensory disability. Those with a later neurosensory disability had a significantly smaller brain stem than those with a normal outcome. The preterm infants had significantly longer peak latency (L) V and interpeak latency (IPL) III-V than the full-term control infants. Most of the preterm infants with severe cerebral palsy or hearing loss had abnormal BAEP. Sensitivity of morphometric dimensions for predicting neurosensory disability was only 20-31%, but specificity was 97-100%. Abnormal L I and IPL III-V in BAEP predicted disability with a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 57-59%. CONCLUSION: We conclude that adverse events during the perinatal period may lead to morphofunctional changes in the brain stem in high-risk, preterm infants, and it seems that functional changes are accurate in predicting neurosensory disability in such patients.

Imaging and estimation of the prognostic features of primary sclerosing cholangitis by ultrasonography and MR cholangiography.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the ability of US and MR cholangiography (MRC) to detect bile duct changes and prognostic signs of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) seen at endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a prospective study, 9 patients with PSC underwent US, MRC, MR imaging and ERC of the bile ducts and the liver. Eight age- and sex-matched control patients were examined with MRC, MR imaging and ERC. A segmental comparison was performed to assess the ability of MRC-MR and US to reveal the accurate ductal involvement in different segments of the biliary tree and the specific criteria of poor prognostic outcome in PSC. The ability of MRC-MR to detect the presence of PSC in different patients was analysed blindly. RESULTS: MRC-MR depicted changes of PSC correctly in 9 patients (radiologist 1) and in 8 patients with 1 false-positive finding (radiologist 2) in the blinded analysis. In the segmental comparison, MRC missed especially bile duct dilatations. MRC was too pessimistic in the evaluation of the outcome. US detected features suggestive of PSC in 8 patients (radiologist 3). US was unable to show the predictors of poor outcome. CONCLUSION: MRC and US seem to be useful in the detection of PSC. US is unable and MRC is too pessimistic to estimate the outcome of PSC.

Severity of symptoms and signs in relation to magnetic resonance imaging findings among sciatic patients.

STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study in sciatic population. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the separate roles of nerve root entrapment-based on magnetic resonance imaging-and other discogenic pain mechanisms on disability and physical signs among symptomatic sciatic patients. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Data symptoms of sciatica are generally understood to be generated by nerve root compression, but other pain mechanisms of sciatica have been suggested. METHODS: The authors obtained magnetic resonance scans from 160 patients with unilateral sciatic pain. The patients reported the intensity of their back and leg pain and their back-specific disability. Clinical examination and magnetic resonance imaging (1.5 T) was performed on every patient. The degree of disc displacement, neural enhancement, and nerve root compression was evaluated from magnetic resonance scans. The correlations of symptoms and signs with magnetic resonance imaging findings were calculated. RESULTS: The degree of disc displacement in magnetic resonance imaging did not correlate with any subjective symptoms, nor did nerve root enhancement or nerve compression. Magnetic resonance imaging classification was associated, however, with straight leg raising restriction. In regression analysis, straight leg raising restriction was best explained with a simple classification of nonherniations versus herniations. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that a discogenic pain mechanism other than the nerve root entrapment generates the subjective symptoms among sciatic patients. The findings of this study thus indicate that magnetic resonance imaging is unable to distinguish sciatic patients in terms of the severity of their symptoms.

B-mode, power Doppler and contrast-enhanced power Doppler ultrasonography in the diagnosis of breast tumors.

PURPOSE: To investigate the role of B-mode and unenhanced and enhanced power Doppler ultrasonography (US) in differentiating solid breast lesions, and to find out whether morphologically different tumors differ in terms of vascularity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty-five lesions, indeterminate or suggestive of malignancy after mammography were prospectively examined with B-mode and unenhanced and enhanced power Doppler US. The lesions were classified as benign, indeterminate or malignant at B-mode, and as benign or malignant at power Doppler US. The results were compared to the histologic diagnoses. Vascularity was analyzed also quantitatively to find out whether threshold values for differential diagnostics could be set. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy of the morphologic evaluation were 100%, 10%, and 57%, respectively. Rounded lesions were more vascular than spiculated lesions, but vascular assessment was only helpful when it supported a benign morphology. In quantitative analysis, due to the overlap between the benign and malignant lesions, no threshold values could be set. CONCLUSION: Morphologic criteria were useful in characterizing malignant lesions, but the large proportion of indeterminate findings decreased the specificity of US. Neither unenhanced, nor enhanced power Doppler US was able to improve diagnostic accuracy.

Magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance sialography of parotid glands in primary Sjogren's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To look for structural parotid gland changes on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and MR sialography of primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) patients and healthy control subjects and to compare these methods with each other. METHODS: MR imaging and MR sialography of both parotid glands were performed on 26 patients and 7 healthy controls. Bilateral surface coils were used to obtain high spatial resolution. RESULTS: Twenty-two of the 26 patients had abnormalities on MR imaging. Twenty-one had a nodular or dendritic parenchymal pattern, 5 had cavities, and 6 had duct dilatations. On MR sialography, 25 of the 26 patients had abnormalities of the ducts, and 16 of them also had cavities. One patient and all 7 controls had normal results with both methods. The structural appearance of the parotid glands on MR images had marginal linear association with the duct system changes but no correlation with the cavitary changes seen on MR sialography. Furthermore, duct system abnormalities did not correlate with cavitary changes. Both parenchymal and sialographic abnormalities were associated with the presence of Ro/SSA antibodies but not with age of the patient, disease duration, salivary flow rate, or the presence of hypergammaglobulinemia or extraglandular manifestations. CONCLUSION: MR imaging and MR sialography are noninvasive methods that provide definitive information of morphologic changes in parotid glands and can be used as diagnostic indicators of primary SS. Because these methods give information on different aspects of glandular pathology, both should be performed when evaluating parotid glands of SS patients. MR sialography is more sensitive, but conventional MR imaging gives complementary information on the progressive pathologic changes of glandular parenchyma.