Sialolith of the submandibular gland with bone formation

An unusual case of sialolith with bone formation, occurring in the submandibular gland of a 33-year-old woman, is reported. In addition to the irregularly laminated structure of sialolith, sparsely scattered foci of bone tissue were found. Some of them were mature, lamellar bone with lacunae containing osteocytes, endosteum and a bone marrow-like element. Others were immature bone associated with or without multinucleated giant cells. Foci of bone tissue were in contact with caliculi or fibrous tissue, and no epithelial component was seen around them. These observations suggest that bone formation in the present case may be in the nature of pathological ossification, and that in the earlier stage, the bone that is deposited is woven and is replaced through successive remodeling cycles by lamellar bone. This is the first case of sialolith with bone formation, although sialolithiasis is a common disease of the salivary glands.