title: Ultrastructural and elemental analysis of sialoliths and their comparison with nephroliths.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Sialoliths are common in the submandibular gland and its duct system, although their exact cause of formation is still a matter of debate. The aims of this study were to: (a) analyze sialoliths ultrastructurally, and to determine the role of foreign bodies or organic materials in the formation of sialolith nuclei; and (b) compare nephroliths with sialoliths ultrastructurally.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three sialoliths and two nephroliths were analyzed ultrastructurally by a scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffractometer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The main structures of the sialoliths were found to be hydroxyapatite crystals. No organic cores were observed in the central parts of the sialoliths. In nephroliths, calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, and struvite crystals were found. The energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis found that sialoliths and nephroliths were predominantly composed of elements comprising calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, sodium, chloride, silicon, iron, and potassium.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sialoliths in the submandibular salivary glands might form secondary to sialadenitis, but not via a luminal organic nidus.
authors: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Mathikere Sampige Ramaiah Dental College and Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors: Nagaraju
authors: N
authors: Rakesh
authors: Yashoda Devi
authors: YD
authors: Bhoomareddy Kantharaj
authors: Manjushree
authors: M
authors: Agarwal
authors: Kunal
authors: K
authors: Agarwal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D002129:Calcium Oxalate / Q000032:analysis; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000032:analysis; D002712:Chlorides / Q000032:analysis; D017886:Durapatite / Q000032:analysis; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000032:analysis; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008274:Magnesium / Q000032:analysis; D017616:Magnesium Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged; D010710:Phosphates / Q000032:analysis; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis; D011188:Potassium / Q000032:analysis; D012465:Salivary Duct Calculi / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015494:Salivary Gland Calculi / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D012828:Silicones / Q000032:analysis; D012964:Sodium / Q000032:analysis; D000069877:Struvite; D013364:Submandibular Gland Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D002712:Chlorides; D017616:Magnesium Compounds; D010710:Phosphates; D012828:Silicones; D002129:Calcium Oxalate; D010758:Phosphorus; D017886:Durapatite; C020243:calcium phosphate; D012964:Sodium; D000069877:Struvite; D007501:Iron; D008274:Magnesium; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium
keywords: energy-dispersive X-ray analysis; nephrolith; organic nidus; scanning electron microscopy; sialolith