HIV ‐associated salivary gland disease – clinical or imaging diagnosis?

Objectives This work aimed at studying the salivary gland disease ( SGD ) as it relates to associated factors, such as persistent generalised lymphadenopathy ( PGL ), lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia ( LIP ), clinical and immunological features of AIDS, and salivary flow rate and pH , as well as at exploring the relationship between the clinical diagnosis and the imaging diagnosis by ultrasound ( US ) examination of the parotid glands. Methods Information regarding the observation of parotid gland enlargement, PGL , LIP , and clinical and immunological features of AIDS was gathered from medical records, and a saliva sample for unstimulated salivary flow rate and pH measurement was collected from 142 children aged 3 through 10 years treated at the Department of Infectious Diseases of Joana de Gusmão Children's Hospital, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil. High‐resolution ultrasonography was performed in 58 children. Pearson's chi‐square test and t ‐test were used to evaluate the association between the variables. Results A significant association was found between SGD and LIP . Ultrasound revealed a 50% higher incidence of SGD that was not reported in the patients' records. Conclusion US examination proved to be essential for the correct diagnosis and monitoring of the progression of HIV/SGD.