Oral medicine & pathology
Mucosal disease, malignancy, salivary conditions and pain.
Topics
10 notes
Oral ulceration
Consider trauma, aphthae, infection, immune disease and malignancy. An unexplained persistent ulcer, especially if indurated, requires urgent assessment.
Read detailed note ↗White and red lesions
Assess site, homogeneity, wipeability, risk factors and change. A persistent non-wipeable lesion needs a diagnostic plan rather than a colour label alone.
Read detailed note ↗Potentially malignant disorders
Leukoplakia and erythroplakia are clinical terms after excluding other causes. Histology, site and appearance inform risk and surveillance.
Read detailed note ↗Oral cancer
Recognise persistent ulceration, induration, masses, red or white lesions and unexplained neck nodes; use the appropriate urgent referral pathway.
Read detailed note ↗Oral lichen planus
Reticular striae, erythema and ulceration vary by site and symptoms. Confirm the diagnosis when uncertain and monitor symptomatic or changing lesions.
Read detailed note ↗Candidosis and infection
Consider predisposing factors such as dentures, inhaled steroids, dry mouth and immunosuppression. Treat the cause as well as the visible infection.
Read detailed note ↗Salivary gland disease
Pain linked to meals suggests obstruction; persistent swelling has a broader differential. Assess gland, duct, facial nerve and red flags.
Read detailed note ↗Facial pain and TMD
Differentiate dental pain, muscular or joint pain, neuropathic pain and headache. Avoid irreversible occlusal treatment without a clear diagnosis.
Read detailed note ↗Histopathology correlation
Read the specimen site, margins, dysplasia grade and limitations alongside clinical findings. Unexpected pathology merits direct discussion with the reporting team.
Read detailed note ↗Orofacial granulomatous disease
Granulomatous inflammation has a differential that includes Crohn's disease, infection and other systemic causes. Correlate pathology with history and directed investigation.
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