IDENTIFICATION OF TONSILLITIS IN PANORAMIC RADIOGRAPHIES: LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

This work aims to present a systematic review of the literature on the radiographic characteristics of these calcifications in soft tissues proper to the head and neck region. In view of the above, the use of panoramic radiographs is an important technique for the accurate diagnosis of tonsillitis. The work followed the exploratory study from the reading and selection of scientific articles in the databases LILACS and MEDLINE, published in the last 8 years, a record of the information extracted from the patients related to radiologic and pathologic evaluation of tonsillitis calcifications, and an analysis and interpretation of the results. Tonsillitis calcifications are caused by inflammation, the bacterial remnants feed on mucus that accumulate in the tonsillar crypts, thus serve as a site for the development of dystrophic calcification. Clinically they have a hardened consistency, rounded and without symptomatology. In larger calcifications pain, dysphagia, bad smell, swelling, and ulcerations can occur. They appear in conventional dental radiographs, presenting as multiple areas of poorly defined radiopacity; however, panoramic radiography is characterized as a radiopaque lesion, adjacent to or superimposed on the mandibular branch, like a dense bone island. It is concluded that knowledge of the radiographic anatomy is important to identify any patterns of abnormality. This work aims to present a systematic review of the literature on the radiographic characteristics of these calcifications in soft tissues proper to the head and neck region. In view of the above, the use of panoramic radiographs is an important technique for the accurate diagnosis of tonsillitis. The work followed the exploratory study from the reading and selection of scientific articles in the databases LILACS and MEDLINE, published in the last 8 years, a record of the information extracted from the patients related to radiologic and pathologic evaluation of tonsillitis calcifications, and an analysis and interpretation of the results. Tonsillitis calcifications are caused by inflammation, the bacterial remnants feed on mucus that accumulate in the tonsillar crypts, thus serve as a site for the development of dystrophic calcification. Clinically they have a hardened consistency, rounded and without symptomatology. In larger calcifications pain, dysphagia, bad smell, swelling, and ulcerations can occur. They appear in conventional dental radiographs, presenting as multiple areas of poorly defined radiopacity; however, panoramic radiography is characterized as a radiopaque lesion, adjacent to or superimposed on the mandibular branch, like a dense bone island. It is concluded that knowledge of the radiographic anatomy is important to identify any patterns of abnormality.