struvite and Salivary-Gland-Calculi

Sialoliths are common in the submandibular gland and its duct system, although their exact cause of formation is still a matter of debate. The aims of this study were to: (a) analyze sialoliths ultrastructurally, and to determine the role of foreign bodies or organic materials in the formation of sialolith nuclei; and (b) compare nephroliths with sialoliths ultrastructurally.. Three sialoliths and two nephroliths were analyzed ultrastructurally by a scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffractometer.. The main structures of the sialoliths were found to be hydroxyapatite crystals. No organic cores were observed in the central parts of the sialoliths. In nephroliths, calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, and struvite crystals were found. The energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis found that sialoliths and nephroliths were predominantly composed of elements comprising calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, sodium, chloride, silicon, iron, and potassium.. Sialoliths in the submandibular salivary glands might form secondary to sialadenitis, but not via a luminal organic nidus.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Calcium; Calcium Oxalate; Calcium Phosphates; Chlorides; Durapatite; Electron Probe Microanalysis; Female; Humans; Iron; Kidney Calculi; Magnesium; Magnesium Compounds; Male; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Middle Aged; Phosphates; Phosphorus; Potassium; Salivary Duct Calculi; Salivary Gland Calculi; Silicones; Sodium; Struvite; Submandibular Gland Diseases; X-Ray Diffraction; Young Adult

In a 3 year period 95 patients with sialolithiasis were studied, giving an annual incidence of 7.3 per 1000 admissions. The male to female ratio was 2.5:1. Salivary gland stones comprised 73.68 per cent (N = 70 patients). Chemical analysis of calculi taken from 88 patients, showed that 89.77 per cent (N = 79 patients) were with phosphate salts stones, 7.98 per cent (N = 7 patients) were with oxalate salts, and 2.27 per cent (N = 2 patients) were with urate salts. Salivary gland infection was present in 91.57 per cent (N = 87 patients) of whom 75.86 per cent (N = 66 patients) and 24.14 per cent (N = 21 patients) were females. A high ambient temperature and dehydration with poor oral hygiene are probable causative factors.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Bacterial Infections; Calcium Oxalate; Calcium Phosphates; Child; Female; Humans; Iran; Magnesium; Magnesium Compounds; Male; Middle Aged; Oral Hygiene; Phosphates; Salivary Duct Calculi; Salivary Gland Calculi; Struvite; Uric Acid