Radiopacities of the Jaws: Interpretation and Diagnosis.

General dental practitioners are less confident at diagnosing radiopaque lesions of the jaws than radiolucent ones, possibly because the incidence of jaw radiopacities is comparatively low. The current review covers the majority of radiopaque lesions that are referred for a specialist opinion, and focuses on those lesions that occur commonly or those that mimic other diagnoses. The majority of radiopaque jaw lesions represent normal anatomy/normal variants or superimposed soft tissue calcifications that are typically of no clinical significance. Common pathological radiopacities of the jaws include sclerosing (condensing) osteitis, a response to low-grade chronic apical infection, and odontomes, a form of odontogenic hamartoma. The typical imaging appearances of these and other jaw radiopacities are discussed.

Interventional sialography and minimally invasive techniques in benign salivary gland obstruction.

Salivary gland obstruction is the commonest complaint affecting this organ and is usually due to the development of salivary calculi, ductal strictures, or both. Imaging has a role in the diagnosis of the cause, extent, and effects of obstruction. In recent years, the role of radiology has evolved; techniques, such as salivary stone lithotripsy, and salivary stone extraction and balloon ductoplasty are carried out under imaging guidance. This article reviews the current status of minimally invasive salivary interventions.

[Imaging of salivary lithiasis]. / Imagerie des lithiases salivaires.

Lithiasis is the most common disease of salivary glands after mumps. The purpose of this review is to analyze the respective role of the different available imaging techniques for the diagnosis of lithiasis and related complications since the treatment of salivary lithiasis has evolved with the emergence of minimally invasive and non surgical techniques. In spite of its limitations, US represents an excellent first line imaging technique because it is non-invasive and widely available. Non contrast helical CT with multiplanar reconstructions seems to be the gold standard for the diagnosis of lithiasis, especially when small and poorly calcified since these may not be visible on standard radiographs. CT allows accurate characterization of the number and position of lithiasis. MR Sialography is increasingly replacing the more invasive conventional sialography for the non invasive visualization of the ductal system of major salivary glands even though conventional sialography has a higher spatial resolution.

Interventional radiology in the removal of salivary calculi.

PURPOSE: To prospectively investigate the efficacy of a wire basket extractor in the retrieval of salivary calculi and establish selection criteria for suitable cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five consecutive patients (14 male, 11 female; age range, 13-69 years) with salivary calculi (20 submandibular, five parotid) were treated by using a commercially available wire basket extractor with intermittent fluoroscopic guidance. RESULTS: Elimination of calculi was accomplished in 10 (40%) cases. In an additional seven (28%) cases, either part of the calculus was removed or whole calculi were removed with others remaining. Failure to retrieve any stone occurred in eight (32%) cases. The most common cause of failure was attachment of the calculus to the duct wall. CONCLUSION: Interventional radiology provides a useful adjuvant method of calculus removal and complements extracorporeal lithotripsy. Basket retrieval of calculi has low morbidity and is rapid and less invasive than traditional surgery. It is most effective in retrieving mobile stones in the extraglandular parotid and submandibular ducts.