Sialolithiasis: Calculi of the Submandibular Gland

Sialolithiasis (also known as salivary calculi or stones) is a condition where a calcified mass or “sialolith” forms within a salivary gland, usually in the duct of the submandibular gland (Wharton’s duct), less commonly in the parotid gland, or rarely in the sublingual gland or a minor salivary gland. This chapter discusses the epidemiology, classification, composition, etiology, pathogenesis, histopathology, clinical presentation, and investigations, which include plain radiography, conventional and digital sialography, ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT) scan, CT sialography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance sialography (MR-Si), and sialendoscopy, as well as differential diagnosis of submandibular gland calculi. In addition, this chapter also addresses the different treatment options for sialolithiasis (medical, minimally invasive, and surgical) as well as prognosis, risk of stone recurrence, and complications.