Calcifications of the palatine tonsillary region: CT demonstration

The scans of 100 consecutive patients referred for computed tomographic examinations that included the oropharynx were reviewed with regard to calcifications of the palatine tonsillary region. Calcifications were found in 20% of the female patients and 13% of the male patients. Ten patients had one calculus, and six had two or more. The sizes of the calculi ranged from 1 to 7 mm. Tonsillary calculi must be included among the diagnostic possibilities when survey radiographs of the neck show soft-tissue calcifications.