Lesson 1Laboratory tests to request: CBC, inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR), blood glucose, liver function tests, and relevant infectious serology (TB screening when indicated)Dis section outline key lab tests in stomatology workup, includin CBC, inflammatory markers, glucose, liver function, an targeted infectious serology, explainin indications, interpretation, an how results change diagnostic reasonin an procedural safety.
CBC for anemia, infection, and bleeding riskCRP and ESR in acute and chronic inflammationBlood glucose and perioperative riskLiver function tests and drug metabolismTargeted serology and TB screening indicationsLesson 2Special stains and laboratory pathology requests: immunohistochemistry panels (p16, cytokeratins), microbial cultures, fungal stains, molecular testing where indicatedDis section cover special pathology requests dat refine diagnosis, includin immunohistochemistry panels, microbial an fungal studies, an molecular tests, wid guidance pon when fi request dem an how results influence prognosis an therapy.
Selecting appropriate immunohistochemistry panelsMicrobial and fungal cultures from oral lesionsPAS, GMS, and other special histologic stainsMolecular tests for HPV and driver mutationsCommunicating clinical questions to pathologyLesson 3Ultrasound for superficial soft-tissue and lymph node assessment: technique and limitationsDis section review ultrasound use fi superficial oral an cervical structures, describin scannin technique, lymph node characterization, Doppler check, an key limitations, includin operator dependence an difficulty wid deep or air-filled spaces.
Ultrasound equipment and probe selectionTechnique for cervical lymph node scanningSonographic criteria of malignant nodesUse of Doppler in vascular assessmentLimitations and indications for further imagingLesson 4Advanced imaging: when to order contrast-enhanced CT of the mandible, cone-beam CT (CBCT) vs medical CT, and MRI for soft-tissue extent and perineural spreadDis section explain selection an interpretation a advanced imagiin fi jaw an soft-tissue disease, comparin CBCT wid medical CT, outlinin indications fi contrast-enhanced CT a di mandible, an definin MRI roles in soft-tissue extent an perineural spread.
Indications for contrast‑enhanced mandibular CTCBCT vs medical CT: strengths and limitationsMRI protocols for soft‑tissue and marrow diseaseImaging signs of perineural tumor spreadRadiation dose, safety, and consent issuesLesson 5Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and core biopsy of suspicious intraoral or cervical lymph nodes: technique and diagnostic yieldDis section detail fine-needle aspiration an core biopsy a suspicious intraoral or cervical lymph nodes, coverin indications, technique, complication avoidance, diagnostic yield, an integration a cytology or histology results inna overall workup.
Indications for FNA vs core biopsyNeedle selection and guidance methodsStepwise FNA technique and smear preparationComplications and how to prevent themInterpreting cytology and adequacy reportsLesson 6Interpreting pathology reports: grades, margins, perineural/lymphovascular invasion, and implications for stagingDis section explain how fi read an apply oral pathology reports, clarifyin terms fi grades, margins, perineural an lymphovascular invasion, an nodal status, an translatin dese findings inna stagin an management decisions.
Tumor type, grade, and differentiationMargin status and clinical significancePerineural and lymphovascular invasionNodal involvement and extranodal extensionCorrelating pathology with TNM stagingLesson 7Stepwise clinical investigations: complete oral exam checklist, vital signs, focused neurological exam, dental status evaluationDis section structure di complete clinical evaluation in stomatology, coverin systematic extraoral an intraoral exam, vital signs, focused neurologic screenin, an detailed dental status check fi detect pathology an prioritize further tests.
Pre‑visit history and red‑flag symptom screeningRecording vital signs and systemic risk assessmentStructured extraoral and cranial nerve screeningSystematic intraoral soft‑tissue inspectionDental charting, occlusion, and periodontal statusLesson 8Biopsy planning: incisional vs excisional biopsy—selection criteria for a 1.5 cm tongue lesionDis section guide biopsy plannin fi a 1.5 cm tongue lesion, comparin incisional an excisional approaches, considerin lesion features, patient factors, an oncologic principles fi choose safe technique dat preserve definitive treatment options.
Clinical assessment of a 1.5 cm tongue lesionCriteria favoring incisional biopsyCriteria favoring excisional biopsyAvoiding distortion of future resection marginsPatient counseling and consent pointsLesson 9Biopsy technique for lateral tongue: surgical approach, margin selection, hemostasis, specimen handling, orientation, and submission for histopathologyDis section detail lateral tongue biopsy technique, includin lesion check, incision plannin, margin selection, anesthesia, hemostasis, specimen orientation, an proper fixation an labellin fi optimize histopathologic interpretation an minimize complications.
Pre‑biopsy assessment and contraindicationsAnesthesia, traction, and field exposureIncision design and margin selectionHemostasis, suturing, and postoperative careSpecimen orientation, labeling, and transportLesson 10Indications and timing for PET-CT or CT chest in suspected malignancy for staging and metastasis screeningDis section review when fi request PET-CT or CT chest in suspected oral malignancy, emphasizin stagin goals, detection a distant metastases, timin relative to biopsy an surgery, an how imagiin results influence team treatment plannin.
Oncologic indications for PET‑CT referralRole of CT chest in metastasis screeningOptimal timing within staging workflowCommon pitfalls and false‑positive findingsImpact on TNM staging and treatment plansLesson 11Plain radiography: indications and interpretation of panoramic radiograph (OPG) for jaw pathologyDis section focus pon panoramic radiography fi jaw check, reviewin indications, patient positionin, normal anatomy, an interpretation a common pathologies, while highlightin limitations an when further cross-sectional imagiin required.
Indications for ordering an OPGPatient positioning and artifact avoidanceRecognizing normal panoramic anatomyRadiographic features of common jaw lesionsLimitations of OPG and need for CT or CBCT
