Sialolithiasis in children: report of four cases.

Abstract

Sialolithiasis in children is rare. Four cases of sialolithiasis in the submandibular gland occurring in children < or = 10 years old are reported. True and distal oblique occlusal radiographs were found to be useful for detection of the sialolith. A review of the literature on sialolithiasis in children is presented.

An unusual case of bilateral submandibular sialolithiasis in a young female patient

“…Occlusal radiographs are particularly useful, and far superior to extraoral radiographs, for the diagnosis of sialolithiasis [8]. Stones in the anterior Wharton's duct can be demonstrated by orthogonal occlusal radiographs, posterior or intraglandular stones by distal oblique orthogonal radiographs [8].…”

“…Stones in the anterior Wharton's duct can be demonstrated by orthogonal occlusal radiographs, posterior or intraglandular stones by distal oblique orthogonal radiographs [8]. 80-94.7% of submandibular stones are radiopaque [3].…”

Pediatric sialolithiasis: What is different from adult sialolithiasis?

“…intermittent reports of case series in the literature, and the absence of comprehensive analyses thereof [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. When physicians meet the children with salivary gland swelling and pain, sialolithiasis must be included in the differential diagnosis, because of rapid improvement after adequate management for sialolithiasis, compared to other chronic inflammatory diseases.…”

Sialolithiasis in children as a diagnostic dilemma

“…The patient's history, together with symptoms and careful clinical examination in addition to X-ray examination, may be sufficient to support the diagnosis. Orthogonal and distal oblique occlusal radiographs are especially useful [23].…”

“…An orthogonal occlusal radiograph can show a calculus in the anterior portion of the Wharton's duct, while a stone in the posterior portion of the duct, a stone close to the hilum or in the gland can be demostrated by a distal oblique occlusal radiograph [17,23]. In general, 20-40% of salivary stones are radiolucent [15,22].…”