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Tonsillolith: a report of three clinical cases
Mariela Dura Gontijo de Moura1, Davidson Fróis Madureira, Luiz Cláudio Noman-Ferreira
1Faculdade de Odontologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antonio Carlos, 6.627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal
|February 27, 2007
Summary
Tonsilloliths, calcifications in the tonsils, can appear as radiopaque images on panoramic radiographs. Computed tomography is crucial for accurate diagnosis, distinguishing them from bone abnormalities.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Radiology
- Pathology
Background:
- Tonsilloliths are rare dystrophic calcifications resulting from chronic tonsil inflammation.
- They can present asymptomatically and be incidentally discovered on dental radiographs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report three asymptomatic cases of tonsilloliths.
- To highlight the diagnostic challenges and the role of computed tomography (CT) in differentiating tonsilloliths from intra-osseous lesions.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of three incidentally discovered tonsillolith cases.
- Initial evaluation using panoramic radiography.
- Confirmatory diagnosis using computed tomography (CT) of the maxillofacial region/head and neck.
Main Results:
- Panoramic radiographs showed radiopaque images (2-5 mm) mimicking soft tissue calcification or intra-osseous lesions.
- Computed tomography confirmed the palatine tonsil location of the hyperdense images, establishing the tonsillolith diagnosis.
- Only one case exhibited clinical signs (white plaques on tonsils).
Conclusions:
- Tonsilloliths can radiographically resemble intra-osseous abnormalities, necessitating advanced imaging.
- Computed tomography is essential for accurate diagnosis, although findings are not pathognomonic.
- Asymptomatic tonsilloliths do not require treatment; differential diagnosis is crucial for correct management.
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