Introduction
Salivary gland stones, or sialolithiasis, is a frequent disorder marked by the development of calculi within the salivary glands or their ducts and are the most common disease of the salivary glands in middle-aged patients[1]. These calcified deposits may stop saliva from flowing normally, causing discomfort, edema, and recurring infections. Sialolithiasis frequently affects the major salivary glands, including the submandibular, parotid, and sublingual glands.
1 to 2 percent of the population is thought to have salivary gland calculi. [2] Symptomatic sialolithiasis, on the other hand, is 0.45% common.[2]. The submandibular gland or Wharton’s duct has the highest prevalence of them there (80% to 90%). [2].
Between 5% and 10% of sialoliths are found in the parotid gland/duct, and the remaining 0% to 5% are found in the sublingual or minor salivary glands.[2]
It is uncertain what causes calculi to form. However, it is evident that the relative standstill of calcium-rich saliva is where calculi develop [2]. It is known that salivary glands include tiny concretions termed microliths in the intraglandular ducts. These micro obstructions may be linked to the development of sialolith and chronic sialadenitis. [3]
A sialolith is an apatite structure that contains calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate condensations. Laminar layers of inorganic and organic materials build up around the amorphous nucleus; each sialolith has a unique composition. This debris may consist of foreign objects, bacterium colonies, exfoliated ductal epithelial cells, mucous plugs, and more.[4]