CT Scan as an Essential Tool in Diagnosis of Non-radiopaque Sialoliths

Abstract

Sialolithiasis is the second most common disease of the salivary glands and the main cause of salivary gland obstruction. Diagnosis of calculi/sialoliths can be made by means of an elaborate history, precise clinical examination and radiographic support. But all sialoliths do not present with predictable signs and symptoms and radiographic appearance. Sialoliths have a variety of manifestations and they may or may not be radiopaque. Non-radiopaque sialoliths are difficult to diagnose radiographically. Although newer techniques like CBCT, CT virtual sialandoscopy and established techniques like sialography, xeroradiography can be useful in selected cases. A regular CT scan is an excellent tool in the diagnosis of a non-radiopaque sialolith and associated salivary gland changes. CT scan should be considered as an important tool of imaging for diagnosis, treatment planning and follow-up of all cases of sialoliths and associated pathologies of the salivary gland.

Gold standard approach for removing sialoliths from the submandibular gland

“…Similarly, the cases mentioned in this article have recurrent swelling pus discharge and pain in the gland. 30 Observed subjects also have a fibrosis edema and palpable mass of sialoliths, felt by the examiner in the base of the mandible. 31 Large stones are managed through surgical removal with or without the gland excision, whereas smaller ones require conservative treatment in the form of locales high-temperature application, acupressure, and saliva promoting drugs (sialagogues).…”

Gland excision in submandibular sialolithiasis: A case report.

“…Many do not show signs and predictable symptoms. CT is currently the preferred diagnostic method because it has demonstrated superior accuracy to detect small stones, in comparison to ultrasound, X-rays 12 and magnetic resonance 13,14 .…”

Revisión narrativa de estudios por imágenes de las calcificaciones de la glándula submandibular

“…El diagnóstico diferencial incluye a flebolitos, tonsilolitos, ateromas de la arteria carótida y nodos linfáticos submandibulares calcificados ( [18][19][20][21][22] ). En los últimos años, se ha incrementado el uso de la tomografía computarizada de haz cónico (TCHC) en la práctica odontológica ( 23,24 ), lo que tiene algunas ventajas y está indicado en el caso de sialolitiasis compleja ( [25][26][27][28][29] ).…”