Crystalloids with calcareous deposition in the parotid gland: one of the possible causes of development of salivary calculi.

Aggregated crystalloids and calculi, up to 600 to 700 micron in diameter, found in the parotid gland tissue taken from a patient with chronic recurrent parotitis were examined histopathologically and microanalytically. In part of the periphery of calculi which had lamellated structure, layers of crystalloids in continuation with calculi were observed; and diffuse deposition of von Kossa-positive fine granules was seen in the innermost area of the crystalloid-layers. By electron probe x-ray microanalysis, phosphorus, sulphur and calcium were principally detected within the innermost area of the crystalloid-layers. The result of the present study lends support to the possibility that crystalloids have some relation to the development of salivary calculi in the human parotid gland.