Angiolithiasis in the parotid gland

Angiolithiasis in salivary glands is a very rare finding, and the knowledge of the morphology and histogenesis of these stone formations is therefore limited. Six small angioliths from the left parotid gland of a 19-year-old girl were examined histologically, microradiographically and diffractometrically. The angiolithiasis developed from a regressed hemangioma which had been observed since the patient was 3--4 years old. The angioliths, which were encapsulated, exhibited in some areas diffuse laminations with shells of alternatingly high and low mineral content. In other areas, however, the sturcture of the stones was rather homogeneous. The central part of all angioliths was highly mineralized. All the examined specimens exhibited a mineral pattern of pure apatite. Due to presence of erythrocytes as well as of fibroblasts in the matrix of the examined noduli, the diagnosis of angiolithiasis was established.