A giant tonsillolith: An incidental finding

Abstract

Tonsilloliths are infrequent calcified concretions that develop in tonsillar crypts within the parenchyma of the tonsils or surrounding it. They are typically single and unilateral, but rarely may be numerous or bilateral. Large tonsilloliths can mimic many conditions including abscesses or neoplasms. It is difficult to diagnose tonsilloliths unless there is a considered emphasis on thorough history taking, careful inspection, and a detailed characterization of the lesion through digital palpation. This may be further supplemented with investigations such as plain film radiography and/or 3D imaging. Here, we present a case of asymptomatic tonsillolith where the patient presented for a painful tooth in mandibular anterior region and was incidentally diagnosed as having with a large tonsillolith on right side of posterior mandible.

Keywords

• Dystrophic calcifications
• oro-pharyngeal mass
• tonsillitis
• tonsillolith