Ralph W. Correll

Mineralization of the stylohyoid-stylomandibular ligament complex. A radiographic incidence study.

In this Veterans Administration-based study, 1,771 oral panoramic radiographs were reviewed to detect abnormalities in the styloid process, stylohyoid-stylomandibular ligament complex. Three hundred twenty-three (18.2 percent) of the radiographs revealed mineralization in these areas which varied from an apparent elongation of the styloid process to extensive involvement of the entire ligament complex with segmentation, nodularity, and the development of jointlike structures. Mineralization was unilateral in 12.4 percent of patients and was observed more commonly in patients 50 to 59 years of age. No relationship could be established between the extent of mineralization and increasing patient age. This study suggests that mineralization of the stylohyoid complex is not uncommon and probably only rarely causes symptoms.

Lingual cortical mandibular defects: A radiographic incidence study☆

Two thousand six hundred ninety-three oral panoramic radiographs were reviewed, and thirteen (0.48 percent) displayed changes characteristic of lingual cortical defects of the mandible. The abnormalities were almost equally distributed on the right and left sides, and none occurred bilaterally. All of the patients with the defects were adult males, and none of the areas was symptomatic. In one patient the defect was determined to have been present for 7 years with no discernible radiographic change.

Minor salivary gland calculi. A clinicopathologic study of forty-seven new cases.

An analysis of forty-seven previously unreported cases of minor salivary gland calculi revealed that they were usually solitary, firm, freely movable, small masses. Also, we noted that these calculi exhibited a striking predilection for the upper lip and buccal mucosa of adults. The organic matrix of all calculi was similar; however, the amount of mineralized material was variable. A variety of types of epithelial metaplasia was noted in the pericalcular ducts, with the most common type being squamous-cell metaplasia. Chronic periductal and lobular inflammation in addition to duct ectasia were common findings. The cause of minor salivary gland calculi is not known; however, local factors, such as duct morphology or biochemical alterations, or both, may be involved.

Nevus cell aggregates in submandibular lymph nodes

Nevus cell aggregates are occasionally found in the capsules and trabeculae of lymph nodes. These aggregates are similar histologically to those in typical cutaneous nevi and should be differentiated from metastatic tumor.

Epithelial islands associated with mandibular nerves: Report of two cases in the walls of mandibular cysts

Epithelial islands in association with nerve fibers in the jaw bones have been reported previously. We describe two such cases and present evidence that the epithelial structures as observed in this study are odontogenic rests and not neuroepithelial organs. Regardless of origin, it should be recognized that these epithelial islands do not represent neural invasion by carcinoma.

Erythroplastic lesion on the mandibular marginal gingiva

Carcinoma of the gingiva is a significant risk to patients because the asymptomatic characteristics of erythroplastic lesions are not always readily identified. This case report shows the similarity in clinical appearance of squamous cell carcinoma of the gingiva to the common inflammatory changes associated with periodontal disease. A similar clinical presentation might be seen in any lesion with increased vascularity, including Kaposis sarcoma associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection. Any erythroplastic change involving the oral mucosa should be viewed with suspicion and, if not resolved after removal of local sources of irritation, must be biopsied to establish a definitive diagnosis.