Mi-Jin Kim1, Jo-Eun Kim2, Kyung-Hoe Huh3, Won-Jin Yi3, Min-Suk Heo3, Sam-Sun Lee3, Soon-Chul Choi3. 1. School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 2. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology and Dental Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: Noel1st@snu.ac.kr. 3. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology and Dental Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of palatine tonsilloliths and analyze their multidetector computed tomography (CT) imaging features. STUDY DESIGN: The CT images of 3886 patients (1654 men, 2232 women; mean age, 35.8 years) were reviewed. The distribution, dimension, morphology, and location of each tonsillolith was assessed. The correlation between participant demographic characteristics and the characteristics (prevalence, number, size) of tonsilloliths was determined. RESULTS: The prevalence of palatine tonsilloliths was 30.3%; we identified significant differences in the prevalence and size between men and women. The prevalence of tonsilloliths significantly increased with age (P < .001). The mean number of tonsilloliths per participant was 2.7, and 64.7% of patients had 1 to 2 tonsilloliths. Ovoid-shaped tonsilloliths were the most common (approximately 80%). The centers of the tonsillar crypts contained the majority of the tonsilloliths, 50.3% of which had sizes of 1 to 2 mm. CONCLUSION: The results, based on a larger sample size compared with previous studies, can be applied as guidelines for the diagnosis of tonsilloliths on CT images.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of palatine tonsilloliths and analyze their multidetector computed tomography (CT) imaging features. STUDY DESIGN: The CT images of 3886 patients (1654 men, 2232 women; mean age, 35.8 years) were reviewed. The distribution, dimension, morphology, and location of each tonsillolith was assessed. The correlation between participant demographic characteristics and the characteristics (prevalence, number, size) of tonsilloliths was determined. RESULTS: The prevalence of palatine tonsilloliths was 30.3%; we identified significant differences in the prevalence and size between men and women. The prevalence of tonsilloliths significantly increased with age (P < .001). The mean number of tonsilloliths per participant was 2.7, and 64.7% of patients had 1 to 2 tonsilloliths. Ovoid-shaped tonsilloliths were the most common (approximately 80%). The centers of the tonsillar crypts contained the majority of the tonsilloliths, 50.3% of which had sizes of 1 to 2 mm. CONCLUSION: The results, based on a larger sample size compared with previous studies, can be applied as guidelines for the diagnosis of tonsilloliths on CT images.