The role of computerized tomography in the diagnosis and therapy of parotid stones: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Small, semi-calcified parotid stones are difficult to diagnose as imaging can be extremely difficult. Understanding how to diagnose parotid stones is important to dentists, however, because people with this condition develop parotid swellings and may seek routine dental care. CASE DESCRIPTION: The authors describe a classic case of parotid sialadenitis secondary to a small lucent stone in Stensen's duct. They discovered the stone only because of the keen sensitivity of computerized tomography, or CT, to minimal amounts of calcific salts. The CT scan's ability to accurately locate the stone and its position within 1 centimeter of the orifice facilitated a successful intraoral surgical approach. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: CT can be a significant aid in early diagnosis and therapy of patients with parotid stones, who eventually develop sialadenitis. With early intervention, further gland degeneration and parotidectomy will be prevented.