Sialolithiasis in two chimpanzees.

Sialoliths were found in the duct of the submandibular salivary gland in 2 of 50 chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) examined, and were surgically removed. Recovery was uncomplicated. Although sialoliths are uncommon in domestic, zoo, and laboratory animals, the signs of sialolithiasis may mimic other problems.

[Histochemical study on the mucosubstances of the calculi of the main excretory duct of the human submandibular gland]. / Istochemike melelte ton blennoousion ton lithon tou kyriou ekphoretikou porou tou ypognathiou adena tou anthropou.

The consideration that mucosubstances act as sites of nucleation and salivary calculi growth prompted to this investigation. Nine calculi of the main excretory duct of the submandibular gland were decalcified and routinely embedded in paraffin. From the blocks serial sections were cut and stained with haematoxylin and eosin and the subsequent histochemical methods for mucosubstances. 1) Alcian Blue-PAS. 2) High Iron Diamine-Alcian Blue. 3) Alcian Blue with critical electrolyte concentration. 4) Alcian Blue before and after testicular hyaluronidase digestion. 5) Acrolein-Thionin-Shiff-PAS 6) Toluidine Blue. Neutral and acid glycoproteins originated from the submandibular gland were predominated in the organic matrix. Glycosaminoglycans probably originated from the connective tissue were detected in the outer areas of the organic matrix. In the central and peripheral parts of 3 salivary calculi spheroid bodies, 1-30 in diameter, were present. The spheroid bodies were unstained with all the histochemical methods for mucosubstances. It is possible the glycoproteins of the submandibular gland to act as nucleating sites in the formation of calculi or, to be passive constituents which are bound by the already formed crystals of the calculi.

[X-ray analysis of calculi from human salivary glands]. / Analyse lithon ton sielogonon adenon tou anthropou me aktines X.

In this study calculi from human submandibular salivary glands were examined with the method of fluorescence and diffraction of X-rays, as well as the radiocrystallographique method. Beside the already known substances, a significant amount of iodine was found. It is the first time that iodine is found as component of calculi of the human salivary glands. The patients history (thyroid glands etc) didn't give an explanation for the presence of iodine.

Structural analysis of phleboliths and salivary calculi.

Three phleboliths and ten salivary calculi in the submandibular duct were studied with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and computer aided microanalyser (CMA). The surface of the phleboliths was rather even with some irregularity. According to their surface structure the salivary calculi were divided into three types: the rock-like type, the granular type, and the globular type. The phleboliths were classified into two types according to their cut surface: the calcified-core type, and the uncalcified-core type. The core structure was similar to the surface structure in the calcified-core type of phleboliths, but in the salivary calculi the core structure was different from the surface structure in that the cut surface of the core was an accumulation of circular or polygonal structures forming a honey-comb pattern which was surrounded by small projections distributed radially. On the basis of these results some etiological factors of phleboliths and salivary calculi are discussed.

Sialolithiasis of a Blandin's gland duct.

A case of sialolithiasis in a Blandin's gland duct is reported. Although minor salivary glands calculi are not uncommon, Blandin's glands are rare sites of occurrence. In this case, a calculus without decalcification is reported. Not only clinico-pathological features but also electron probe micro analyzer plus energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy studies are presented. These studies reveal that phosphorus is contained in only the basophilic part of the calculus and sulphur in both the basophilic and the eosinophilic parts.

[An electron paramagnetic resonance study of 4 salivary calculi treated in an ionized oxygen atmosphere]. / Etude, par résonance paramagnétique électronique, de quatre calculs salivaires traités en atmosphère d'oxygène excité.

Four salivary calculi and synthetically prepared hydroxyapatite, tricalcium phosphate and B-type carbonated fluorapatite or hydroxyapatite were treated under excited oxygen atmosphere. All these samples were studied by Electron Spin Resonance at 100 K. The presence of paramagnetic ozonide ions was observed only in the salivary calculi and in the hydroxyapatite. This indicates that the dominant apatite phase in salivary calculi is weakly carbonated hydroxyapatite.

Ultrastructural and histochemical observations on microcalculi in chronic submandibular sialadenitis.

A search for microcalculi was made in 14 cases of chronic submandibular sialadenitis. Microcalculi were found in all cases. They were within serous acinar cells and ductal cells, within lumina, and interstitially. They were stained variably by periodic-acid/Schiff and Alcian Blue at pH 2.5. Ultrastructural analytical examination showed them to consist of crystals containing calcium and phosphorus. The observations support the possibility that microcalculi form in autophagosomes, enter lumina and occasionally become impacted to produce sialolithiasis and sialadenitis.

Glycosaminoglycans in human salivary-duct stones.

These were demonstrated using histochemical and biochemical techniques. The presence of hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulphate was confirmed by enzymic digestion. These substances may arise from inflammation in peri-ductal tissue.

Large calculi of the submandibular salivary glands.

Salivary calculi occur in the submandibular and parotid glands, and their ducts, and occasionally reach a large size. However, little information is available on the composition of these giant stones. 2 cases are reported of unusually large calculi of the submandibular salivary glands. The glands were excised, and the results of chemical and infrared analysis of the calculi are presented.

[Microanalysis of salivary calculi]. / Microanalyse des calculs salivaires.

Eight salivary calculi were sectioned along a plane of symmetry and the sections studied by microanalysis. Three different regions were observed: a central region with one or several strongly mineralized nuclei, a stratified, less mineralized region with a lower Ca/P ratio and finally a peripheral weakly calcified region. Although inclusions with high silicium or sulfur concentrations were found in all samples, their role in the genesis of calculus is not clear. Most often filamentous mineralized bacteria were observed by scanning electron microscopy on the external stone surface.

Crystalloids with calcareous deposition in the parotid gland: one of the possible causes of development of salivary calculi.

Aggregated crystalloids and calculi, up to 600 to 700 micron in diameter, found in the parotid gland tissue taken from a patient with chronic recurrent parotitis were examined histopathologically and microanalytically. In part of the periphery of calculi which had lamellated structure, layers of crystalloids in continuation with calculi were observed; and diffuse deposition of von Kossa-positive fine granules was seen in the innermost area of the crystalloid-layers. By electron probe x-ray microanalysis, phosphorus, sulphur and calcium were principally detected within the innermost area of the crystalloid-layers. The result of the present study lends support to the possibility that crystalloids have some relation to the development of salivary calculi in the human parotid gland.