CASE REPORT   

Minerva Stomatologica 2001 May;50(5):173-82

Copyright © 2001 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy under polarized light of a submandibular gland salivary calculus

Traini T., Murmura G., Giammaria G., Ciavarelli L., Caputi S.

Background. The salivary calculus is an ancient pathologic condition, called ''sublingual stone'' by Hyppocrates. It is well-defined from a anatomo-pathologic, diagnostic and topographic viewpoint, though some pathogenesis-related doubts still exist. This work aims at relating the micro-morpho-structural aspect of a salivary calculus of remarkable dimensions with the current calculogenetic hypotheses.
Methods. A 1.1 g salivary calculus removed from the initial section of Wrthon's duct in the right-hand submandibular gland of a 42 year old male has been studied. Following the fixation in 4% buffered formalin and the inclusion in resin, it was serially sectioned in 15-20 micron slices. Some sections were coloured with toluidine blue O and acid fuchsin.
The exeresis of the calculus was carried out intraorally, with marsupialization under local anesthesia. The analysis was performed using a SEM with backscattered electrons and a polarised and transmitted light microscope.
Results. The investigations have outlined the presence of various organic ''cores'' and a concentric, stratiform architecture interrupted by radial elements.
Conclusions. The formation of this calculus may be due to mixed secondary lithiasis resulting from the formation of colloids and crystalloids.