title: Tonsillolithiasis and orofacial pain.
abstract: Tonsilloliths are rare calcified structures that usually result from chronic inflammation of the tonsils. Concretions show differences in size, shape and colour. They are usually asymptomatic but can be associated with halitosis, foreign body sensation, dysphagia and odynophagia, otalgia, and neck pain. A patient was referred because panoramic radiography performed by a general dentist revealed radiopaque shadows over the ascending rami of the mandible, located bilaterally: a solitary structure on the higher portion of the right side and two small structures on the left side. Paroxysmal attacks of orofacial pain and symptoms such as dysphagia and swallowing pain on the left side distributed within the tonsillar fossa and pharynx and the angle of the lower jaw were present. The computed tomography images revealed bilateral tonsilloliths. Clinically, there was no sign of inflammation, and the patient's past history revealed an approximately 2-year history of dysphagia, swallowing pain and left-sided neck pain. At the request of the patient, no surgical intervention was carried out. Glossopharyngeal neuralgia is a rare entity, and the aim of this report was to indicate the importance of tonsilloliths as a cause of orofacial pain.
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Osijek, School of Medicine, University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia.
authors: Stjepan
authors: S
authors: Siber
authors: Josip
authors: J
authors: Hat
authors: Ivan
authors: I
authors: Brakus
authors: Josip
authors: J
authors: Biočić
authors: Davor
authors: D
authors: Brajdić
authors: Ivan
authors: I
authors: Zajc
authors: Ingrid
authors: I
authors: Bošan-Kilibarda
authors: Darko
authors: D
authors: Macan