Echogenicity | Homogeneity | Hyperechoic bands | Number of hypoechoic/anechoic areas* | Location of hypoechoic/anechoic areas | Number of abnormal nodes* | Normal nodes | Calcifications | Posterior border visibility | Diagnosis advice† | |
PG intraobserver | ||||||||||
Mean | 0.75 | 0.75 | 0.58 | 0.80 | 0.78 | 0.47 | 0.66 | 0.38 | 0.37 | 0.86 |
Min | 0.43 | 0.29 | 0.00 | 0.57 | 0.59 | 0.00 | 0.44 | −0.03 | −0.11 | 0.52 |
Max | 0.93 | 1 | 1 | 0.92 | 0.94 | 1 | 0.90 | 1 | 0.80 | 1 |
SMG intraobserver | ||||||||||
Mean | 0.61 | 0.63 | 0.61 | 0.76 | 0.69 | 0.17 | 0.45 | 0.42 | 0.41 | 0.70 |
Min | 0.23 | 0.25 | 0.36 | 0.54 | 0.45 | 0.00 | 0.00 | −0.05 | 0.00 | 0.33 |
Max | 1 | 0.93 | 1 | 1 | 0.92 | 0.84 | 1 | 0.89 | 0.91 | 0.92 |
PG interobserver | ||||||||||
Mean | 0.60 | 0.66 | 038 | 0.74 | 0.77 | 0.19 | 0.54 | 0.10 | 0.15 | 0.78 |
Min | 0.16 | 0.12 | 0.00 | 0.39 | 0.44 | −0.06 | 0.25 | −0.05 | −0.38 | 0.31 |
Max | 0.93 | 1 | 0.88 | 0.96 | 0.94 | 1 | 0.90 | 0.65 | 0.59 | 0.98 |
SMG interobserver | ||||||||||
Mean | 0.38 | 0.46 | 0.32 | 0.53 | 0.52 | 0.01 | 0.09 | 0.26 | 0.15 | 0.54 |
Min | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.00 | 0.22 | 0.07 | −0.06 | −0.11 | 0.00 | −0.09 | 0.16 |
Max | 0.92 | 0.93 | 0.79 | 0.90 | 0.92 | 0.27 | 0.67 | 1 | 0.65 | 0.91 |
*Quantitative variables were then categorised as follows: number of hypoechoic/anechoic areas: None (0), 1–4 (1), ≥5 (2); abnormal lymph nodes: No (0), Yes (1).
†Diagnosis advice was given in regard with the typical pattern of pSS on images and not in patients with pSS.
PG, parotid gland; pSS, primary Sjögren’s syndrome; SMG, submandibular gland.