An unusually large tonsillolith

Roentgeno-oddities Each month this section will bring to the reader of ORAL SURGERY, ORAL MEDICINE. AND ORAL PATHOLOGY one or more roentgenograms which demonstrate unusual, unexpected, rare, or bizarre roentgenographic changes. These roentgenograms will be accompanied by an explanation or by words of inquiry regarding the particular change. Pleasesubmit 5 by 7 inch glossy black and white prints along with two copies of the description of the case. All material for publication should be submitted to Dr. John W. Preece, Department of Dental Diagnostic Sciences,School of Dentistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr., San Antonio, Texas 78284.

AN UNUSUALLY

LARGE

TONSILLOLITH

A

2%year-old Hindu man was referred to this hospital because of pain in the pharyngeal region and difficulty in swallowing. The patient also complained of recurrent attacks of pharyngitis. On clinical examination, no abnormality was detected in any of the teeth. Closer inspection revealed a stonelike mass in the tonsillar area; this was hard in consistency and was embedded in the tonsillar tissue and partly visible through the mucosa . An extraoral lateral oblique radiograph was taken in order to estimate the size and shape of the stony mass. Radiographic examination revealed a large egg-shaped radiopacity superimposed upon the mandibular third molar region. The appearance of the mass was nodular. The mandibular canal was not deviated, and no resorption was observed in any of the adjacent teeth. This is a very rare case of an abnormally large tonsillolith where probably the entire tonsil had undergone calcification. Dr. Rajeev iU. Gadgil. B.D.S. (Born) Postgraduate Student Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology Government Dental College and Hospital Bombay-400 001, India

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