1. The submandibular and parotid salivary gland uptake of [99mTc]pertechnetate has been measured at 3 min, 8 min and 13 min after administration in twenty-five normal subjects, seventeen patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) alone, seven patients with RA and keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) and twenty-four patients with Sjögren's syndrome and salivary gland involvement.

2. Normal ranges for salivary gland 99mTc uptake have been established.

3. At 8 min fifteen patients with Sjögren's syndrome had a low uptake value (parotid <0.16% dose, submandibular <0.07% dose).

4. A correlation was found between values for parotid and submandibular 99mTc uptake but parotid gland involvement was more marked than submandibular. Involvement was usually bilateral.

5. In the patients with RA alone and RA and KCS a small number of patients had low uptake values.

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© 1971 The Biochemical Society and the Medical Research Society
1971
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