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Sialolithiasis is an obstructive pathology of the salivary gland character- ized by the formation of stones in the ductal system or parenchyma. Its incidence is greater in the submandibular gland in 85%, 10% to the parotid gland and 5% to the gland sublingual. Its etiology is attributed to the deposition of inorganic material around an organic nest with salivary mucin, desquamated epithelial cells and bacteria as well as to the anatomical distribution of the gland with respect to its excretor conduct. The sialolit is formed by calcium phosphate compound, small amounts of carbonates in the hydroxyapatite form, magnesium, potas- sium and ammonia. On patients with sialolithiasis symptoms hydration is essential, moist has is to be applied and massaged into the affected gland, while sialogogues intake and salivary production promoting stone passage through the conduit. Sometimes the obstruction of the saliva output may be signs and symptoms of an infectious process. Almost half of the submandibular sialoliths are located in the middle third or distal duct and are susceptible to elimination under conservative treatment or lithectomy. Sialolithiasis is an unusual condition in the pediatric patient. This article includes a review of the literature presenting the etiology, diagnosis aids and conservative or surgical treatments.

Sialolithiasis is one of the most common pathologies of the major salivary glands and occurs more frequently in the submandibular glands. Between 80 and 95% of sialoliths develop in the submandibular glands, between 5 and 20% in the parotid gland, and only 1% in the sublingual gland. Sialoliths form within the parenchyma and associated duct systems. In Wharton's duct (80-90%) and only 15% in the gland. Sialolithiasis is the cause of pain and inflammation of the salivary gland by obstructing the duct and preventing salivary secretion, before, during and after food.The objective of this article was to review the different diagnostic imaging methods used for the study of calcifications of the submandibular gland, based on different studies reported in contemporary scientific literature, in order to establish the correct diagnosis. A search of the literature was carried out in the main information sources including Medline (via PubMed), SEVIER, SCIELO, and LILACS, using the search terms with a date limitation of the last 5 years on average. The selected articles included information regarding the calcifications of the salivary glands. Imaging studies of salivary gland calcifications can be obtained with conventional radiographs, Sialography, Ultrasonography (US), Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR)., Competing Interests: Conflictos de intereses: Los autores declaran no tener ningún conflicto de intereses