Pediatric sialolithiasis distinctive characteristic in radiological imaging

Aim of the present paper was to investigate the imaging and related clinical characteristics of sialolithiasis in Italian pediatric population trying to determine the difference between pediatric and adult. Twenty-nine pediatric patients (age range 1-17 years) with pain and postprandial swelling and/or purulent discharge in the salivary gland areas were referred to radiology department after pediatric ear, nose and throat (ENT) evaluation. They all were submitted to ultrasound examination of the main salivary glands. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) only was performed in 2/6 patients, in 2/6 patients both sialography and MDCT were performed due to inconclusive MDCT features, 2/6 only sialography was performed. Sialoliths were classified on their location and size. In 6 out of 29 patients (4 males, 2 females, age range 1-17 years) salivary stones were detected. Sialoliths were detected in 5/6 patients in the submandibular gland and 1/6 in the parotid gland. All sialoliths, excepted for a case of multiple sialoliths, were located in the distal part of the main salivary ducts. Imaging characteristics of sialolith in pediatric group are similar than in adult population in few aspects. In fact sialoliths are smaller in size and located more frequently in the distal part of the main salivary duct, than in adult, making sialography cannulation more complex and requiring short thickness in MDCT