PREVALENCE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF PALATINE TONSILLOLITHS IN CONE BEAM COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY IMAGES: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Abstract

Introduction: Palatine tonsilloliths are calcified structures that
develop in enlarged tonsillar crypts. These structures are also
common incidental findings that can be clinically related to
halitosis and tonsillar abscess. The aim of this study is to clarify the
prevalence and imaging characteristics of palatine tonsilloliths by
using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT).
Material and Methods: Three hundred and sixty-six CBCT scans
were retrospectively evaluated with regard to presence and
characteristics of tonsilloliths.
Results: Palatine tonsilloliths’ detection rate was found 20.4%
without statistically significant gender prediliction (56% in female,
44% in male patients). The mean age of tonsilloliths patients was
33.3 years. The size of the tonsilloliths ranged from 0.3 mm to 5
mm. No statistically significant difference between the left and
right sides was detected with regard to tonsilloliths presence.
Conclusion: Palatine tonsilloliths are common forms of soft tissue
calcifications. CBCT is a very helpful imaging modality in
identifying the true location of tonsilloliths.

Keywords

• Tonsillolith
• tonsillar calculi
• Cone-Beam Computed Tomography
• palatine tonsil

Konik Işınlı Bilgisayarlı Tomografi Görüntülerinde Palatin Tonsillolitin Prevelans ve Özellikleri: Retrospektif Bir Çalışma

Abstract

Giriş: Palatin tonsillolitler genişlemiş olan tonsiller
kriptalarında gelişen kalsifiye yapılardır. Bu yapılar aynı
zamanda halitozis ve tonsiller abse ile klinik olarak ilişkili
olabilen rastlantısal bulgulardır. Bu çalışmanın amacı Konik
Işınlı Bilgisayarlı Tomografi (KIBT) kullanarak palatin
tonsillolitlerin prevelansını ve radyolojik özelliklerini
göstermektir.
Gereç ve Yöntem: 366 adet KIBT görüntüsü tonsillolit varlığı
ve özellikleri açısından retrospektif olarak değerlendirilmiştir.
Bulgular: Palatin tonsillolit %20,4 oranında izlenirken
istatistiksel olarak cinsiyet açısından herhangi bir fark
izlenmemiştir (%56 kadın, %44 erkek). Tonsillolit izlenen
hastaların ortalama yaşı 33,3’tür. Tonsillolitlerin boyutu 0,3 mm
ile 5 mm arasındadır. Tonsillolit varlığı bakımından sol ve sağ
taraf için istatistiksel olarak bir fark saptanmamıştır.
Sonuç: Palatin tonsillolitler yumuşak doku kalsifikasyonlarının
sık görülen türleridir. Konik Işınlı Bilgisayarlı Tomografi,
tonsillolitlerin gerçek yerinin tespitinde oldukça yardımcı bir
görüntüleme yöntemidir.

Keywords

• Tonsillolit
• bademcik taşı
• Konik Işınlı Bilgisayarlı Tomografi
• palatin tonsil

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