Sialolithiasis of the Submandibular Gland

Sialolithiasis of the salivary gland is a benign pathology that occurs most frequently in the submandibular gland because of its anatomic features. Depending on the sialolith size and calcification degree, it can be visible in radiographic examinations. Commonly, patients may experience pain and/or edema, when the ducts are obstructed. The authors report the case of sialolithiasis of the submandibular gland in a 42-year-old, female, white-skinned patient, noticed during routine dental examination. Following diagnosis confirmed by clinical and radiographic examinations, the treatment plan consisted of surgery for removal of the calcified mass. The prognosis is often good, and generally there is no recurrence.

Considerações atuais da sialolitíase de ducto de glândula submandibular

The sialolithiasis is characterized by the formation of calcified structure called sialolith within the salivary ductal system. Although its etiology is unknown, it is believed that is from the deposition of calcium salts around an accumulation of organic leftovers in the lumen of the duct or be resulted by chronic sialadenitis and partial obstruction. In this study, the authors describe a case of a male patient, 46 years old, brown, who presented the complaint “pain under the tongue.” The presence of a hardened nodule located in the left sublingual fold was observed through intra-oral exam. Current considerations about treatment, clinical and radiographic characteristics were addressed in this work.