Güneydoğu Anadolu popülasyonunda panoramik radyograflarda palatin tonsillolit prevalansı: retrospektif bir çalışma

Abstract

Amaç: Palatin tonsillolitler, tonsil kriptlerinde gelişen kalsifiye yapılar olup genellikle panoramik radyografilerde tesadüfen saptanmaktadır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, palatin tonsillolitlerin prevalansını, demografik dağılımlarını ve sistemik hastalıklarla ilişkisini Güneydoğu Anadolu Bölgesi’nde yaşayan bireylerde değerlendirmektir. Gereç ve Yöntem: Harran Üniversitesi Ağız, Diş ve Çene Cerrahisi Anabilim Dalı’na Ocak 2023 – Ocak 2024 tarihleri arasında başvuran 901 hastaya (477 kadın, 424 erkek) ait arşivlenmiş panoramik radyografiler retrospektif olarak incelendi. Tonsillolit varlığı, lokalizasyonu (tek taraflı/çift taraflı) ile demografik ve sistemik özellikler kaydedildi. İstatistiksel analizlerde Pearson Ki-kare testi kullanıldı ve anlamlılık düzeyi p<0,05 olarak kabul edildi. Bulgular: Toplam 901 panoramik radyografiden 30’unda (%3,33) tonsillolit saptandı. Olguların 19’u erkek (%63,3), 11’i kadın (%36,7) idi; erkeklerde daha sık görülmesine rağmen fark istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bulunmadı (p=0,069). Lezyonların yarısı tek taraflı, yarısı çift taraflı idi. Tonsillolit saptanan hastaların yaş ortalaması 43,2±11,4 yıl olup en sık 30–39 yaş grubunda ve ≥50 yaş grubunda gözlendi. Tonsillolitler ile sistemik hastalıklar arasında anlamlı bir ilişki bulunmadı (p=0,566). Sonuç: Palatin tonsillolitler, göz ardı edilmemesi gereken bir yumuşak doku kalsifikasyonu türüdür. Bu çalışmada prevalans %3,33 olarak saptanmış olup, orta yaş ve ileri yaş bireylerde daha sık görülmüştür. Panoramik radyografiler hızlı ve pratik tanı imkânı sunarken, özellikle küçük veya bilateral olgularda konik ışınlı bilgisayarlı tomografinin (KIBT) ek tanısal katkı sağlayabileceği düşünülmektedir.

Keywords

• tonsillolit
• panoramik radyografi
• yumuşak doku kalsifikasyonu
• prevelans

Prevalence of palatine tonsilloliths on panoramic radiographs in a Southeastern Anatolian population: a retrospective study

Abstract

Aims: Palatine tonsilloliths are calcified structures that develop in the tonsillar crypts and are often incidentally detected on panoramic radiographs. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of palatine tonsilloliths, their demographic distribution, and their relationship with systemic diseases in individuals living in the Southeastern Anatolia region. Methods: Panoramic radiographs archived from 901 patients (477 females, 424 males) who applied to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Harran University, between January 2023 and January 2024 were retrospectively examined. The presence of tonsilloliths, laterality (unilateral/bilateral), and demographic/systemic characteristics were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed using Pearson’s Chi-square test, with statistical significance set at p<0.05. Results: Tonsilloliths were detected in 30 out of 901 radiographs (3.33%). These calcified structures, formed within the palatine tonsillar crypts, represent a subtype of soft-tissue calcification rather than a pathological lesion. Nineteen patients were male (63.3%) and 11 were female (36.7%); although more frequent in males, the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.069). Half of the lesions were unilateral and half were bilateral. The mean age of patients with tonsilloliths was 43.2±11.4 years, and the lesions were more frequently observed among the 30–39 and ≥50 age groups. No significant association was found between tonsilloliths and systemic diseases (p=0.566). Conclusion: Palatine tonsilloliths represent a type of soft tissue calcification that should not be overlooked. In this study, the prevalence was 3.33%, with higher occurrence in middle-aged and older individuals. While panoramic radiographs allow quick and practical detection, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) may provide additional diagnostic value, particularly for small or bilateral cases.

Keywords

• Tonsillolith
• panoramic radiography
• soft tissue calcification
• prevalence

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