An unusual case of bilateral submandibular sialolithiasis in a young female patient

Salivary calculi in the pediatric population comprise only 3% of all cases of sialolithiasis. In addition, the presentation of bilateral calculi in children is rare. The formation of stones in the salivary glands has been attributed to slow salivary flow, salivary stagnation and unknown metabolic events. There is no report in the literature of an association between dietary calcium intake and calculi formation. We describe the clinical findings and management in a patient with bilateral sialolithiasis thought to be linked to high dietary calcium intake and review the literature. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.