SOFT TISSUE CALCIFICATION AND OSSIFICATION IN THE HEAD AND NECK REGION

Soft tissue calcifications and ossifications in the maxillofacial area are uncommon, and generally they are noticed in routine radiographic examinations. calcifications can be classified as dystrophic, idiopathic and metastatic. ossifications can be classified as stylohyoid ligament ossification, osteoma cutis, myositis ossificans. calcifications and ossifications can be symptomatic or they can remain asymptomatic for years. the most important diagnostic criterions of the calcifications are anatomical location, distribution, number, size and shape. to determine the localization of soft tissue calcifications identified in radiographs and in order to examine the normal and pathological anatomy in detail, computed tomography, cone beam computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography is performed. in this review, these calcifications and ossifications are classified as regards general characteristics, their clinical and radiographic features are discussed.