Inflammation possibly arises from ascending infection in a normal gland and exerts an obstructive and destructive effect on the parenchyma with the development of the related histological changes and a vicious circle involving further ascending infection. Normal glands contain microliths that possibly by localized obstruction cause atrophic foci that are reservoirs for ascending infection. Microliths and liths were unrelated: microliths were related to age as in normal glands whereas liths were related to duration of symptoms and appeared to be secondary to the sialadenitis. Many glands showed minimal changes, which raises the possibility of conservative treatment.

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Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is one of the most common oral mucosal disorders. The aim of the study was to determine any association between anxiety levels and concentrations of salivary and serum cortisol in patients with RAS. It has been suggested that stress with its presumed effects on the immune system, constitutes one of the major causative agents of RAS. The concentrations of salivary and serum cortisol were measured in 38 patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis, and 38 healthy controls. Salivary and serum cortisol levels were measured using a Luminenscent Immunoassay (LIA) method. Anxiety levels were evaluated using Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory which measures both trait anxiety as a general aspect of personality (STAI-T) and state anxiety as a response to a specific situation (STAI-S). The salivary cortisol levels were 1.44 (± 0.58) μ g dl -1 in RAS patients and 0.91 (± 0.56) μ g dl -1 in controls ( p = 0.001), while the serum cortisol levels were 3.13 (± 1.59) μ g dl -1 in RAS patients and 1.89 (± 1.11) μ g dl -1 in controls ( p = 0.001). The state anxiety levels (STAI-S) were 48.85 (± 9.7) in RAS group and 39.45 (± 7.5) in control group ( p = 0.001). The trait anxiety levels (STAI-T) were 49.78 (± 13.02) in RAS group and 38.49 (± 10.31) in control group ( p = 0.001). Salivary and serum cortisol concentrations and state and trait anxiety levels in RAS were significantly higher than those in the control group. Our results suggest that stress may be involved in the pathogenesis of RAS. recurrent aphthous stomatitis; anxiety; salivary cortisol; serum cortisol; pathogenesis.Tohoku

There are two histological types of pyogenic granuloma (PG) of the oral cavity: the lobular capillary hemangioma (LCH) and non-LCH type. The aim of the present study was to examine and compare the clinical features, etiological factors, diameter of vascular elements and immunohistochemical features of LCH and non-LCH histological types of PG to determine whether they are two distinct entities. Thirty cases of LCH and 26 cases of non-LCH PG were retrieved and retrospectively studied. Clinically, LCH PG occurred more frequently (66.4%) as sessile lesion whereas non-LCH PG occurred as pedunculated (77%). Non-LCH PG was associated more frequently (86.4%) with etiological factors. The lobular area of the LCH PG contained a greater number of blood vessels with small luminal diameter than did the central area of non-LCH PG. In the central area of non-LCH PG a significantly greater number of vessels with perivascular mesenchymal cells non-reactive for alpha-smooth muscle actin and muscle-specific actin was present than in the lobular area of LCH PG. The differences found in the present study suggest that the two histological types of PG represent distinct entities.

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A search for microcalculi was made in 14 cases of chronic submandibular sialadenitis. Microcalculi were found in all cases. They were within serous acinar cells and ductal cells, within lumina, and interstitially. They were stained variably by periodic‐acid/Schiff and Alcian Blue at pH 2.5. Ultrastructural analytical examination showed them to consist of crystals containing calcium and phosphorus. The observations support the possibility that microcalculi form in autophagosomes, enter lumina and occasionally become impacted to produce sialolithiasis and sialadenitis.