Bilateral Parotid Gland Cysts as an Atypical Indicator of Sjögren's Syndrome: A Case Study and Literature Overview.

Introduction: Sjögren's syndrome is a systemic autoimmune disorder that gradually impairs exocrine function, primarily affecting lacrimal and salivary glands. Case Report: We describe an unusual presentation involving an elderly female patient diagnosed with late-stage Sjögren's syndrome. Laboratory testing eliminated viral infections including HIV and HCV. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of parotid swellings revealed inflammatory cystic lesions, excluding malignancy and other common cystic conditions. MRI revealed several fluid-filled nodules in both glands. Conclusion: This report supports including Sjögren's syndrome in the differential diagnosis for bilateral cystic lesions of the parotid glands. A synthesis of similar literature cases is included.