Submandibular lymph node calcification – A Diagnostic dilemma

Nodal calcifications in the neck region are uncommon, only occurring in about 1% of enlarged nodes. Cervical lymph node calcification is usually asymptomatic and may be found on a routine panoramic survey. Clinical studies have shown that lymph node calcifications mostly associated with underlying benign inflammatory or infectious diseases or less frequently with malignant diseases. In the head and neck region, the most commonly involved nodes are the submandibular and cervical nodes; when calcified these nodes are generally asymptomatic. Clinician must be aware of such lesions and should be able to diagnosed and differentiate from other radiopacities occurring in this region. Here we report a case of a solitary right submandibular lymph node calcification in 55year old male patient which was an incidental finding on panoramic radiograph.