Dentists’ awareness of the differential diagnosis of calcinosis and sialolithiasis
https://doi.org/10.33925/1683-3759-2026-1202
Abstract
Relevance. The primary diagnosis of calcinosis and sialolithiasis remains a considerable challenge in clinical practice. Similar radiographic and clinical presentations of these conditions may lead to diagnostic errors and unnecessary surgical interventions.
Objective. To assess dentists’ awareness of calcifications in the maxillofacial region and their ability to differentiate calcinosis from sialolithiasis.
Materials and methods. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 53 dentists from different specialties. The specially developed questionnaire included a clinical case and multidetector computed tomography data.
Results. Only one specialist identified the correct diagnosis (1.8%). Eight of the 53 specialists (15.1%; p < 0.0001) identified a “foreign body” in the parotid gland region on the presented MDCT images. One respondent (1.8%) identified a shadow corresponding to a spherical lesion on the left side, and another respondent identified a rounded hyperdense pathological focus superiorly; both findings corresponded to the location of the calcification. Forty-five of the 53 specialists (84.9%; p < 0.0001) were aware of calcinosis, whereas 25 specialists (47.2%) had not encountered it in clinical practice. Only 8 of 28 specialists (28.6%; p < 0.0001) had independently treated patients with calcifications.
Conclusion. Dentists’ competence in the differential diagnosis of calcinosis and sialolithiasis should be improved to reduce diagnostic errors and unnecessary surgical interventions. Additional training in sialography and sialendoscopy is also needed.
About the Authors
A. Y. Razumova
Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Alexandra Ya. Razumova, DDS, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
6-8 Lvovskaya Str., Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation, 197000
A. I. Yaremenko
Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Andrey I. Yaremenko, DDS, PhD, DSc, Professor, Head of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Saint Petersburg
S. I. Kutukova
Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Svetlana I. Kutukova, DDS, PhD, DSc, Professor, Department of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Saint Petersburg
M. N. Petrova
Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Maria N. Petrova, 6th year Student, Medical School
Saint Petersburg
P. P. Abramovich
Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Polina P. Abramovich, 6th year Student, Medical School
Saint Petersburg
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For citations:
Razumova AY, Yaremenko AI, Kutukova SI, Petrova MN, Abramovich PP. Dentists’ awareness of the differential diagnosis of calcinosis and sialolithiasis. Parodontologiya. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.33925/1683-3759-2026-1202
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