Lesson 1Laboratory tests to request: CBC, inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR), blood glucose, liver function tests, and relevant infectious serology (TB screening when indicated)This part lists key lab tests for stomatology checks, including full blood count, swelling markers, sugar levels, liver checks, and aimed infection blood tests, explaining when to use, read, and how results change thinking and 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 indicatedThis part covers special tissue test requests that sharpen diagnosis, including marker panels, germ and fungus studies, and gene tests, with advice on when to ask and how results affect outlook and care.
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 limitationsThis part reviews ultrasound for surface mouth and neck areas, describing scan method, node description, blood flow check, and main limits, like depending on the operator and trouble with deep or air 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 spreadThis part explains choosing and reading advanced scans for jaw and soft tissue problems, comparing dental CT with medical CT, listing needs for dye-enhanced jaw CT, and MRI roles for tissue spread and nerve paths.
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 yieldThis part details thin-needle draw and core sample from worrying mouth or neck nodes, covering when to do, method, avoiding problems, success rate, and using cell or tissue results in full checks.
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 stagingThis part explains reading and using mouth pathology reports, clearing terms for severity, edges, nerve and vessel spread, and node status, and turning findings into staging and care choices.
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 evaluationThis part organises full clinical checks in stomatology, covering step-by-step outside and inside mouth exams, vital signs, aimed nerve screening, and detailed tooth check to spot problems and rank 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 lesionThis part guides biopsy planning for a 1.5 cm tongue sore, comparing cut-out and full removal methods, thinking about sore features, patient factors, and cancer rules to pick a safe way that keeps 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 histopathologyThis part details side tongue biopsy method, including sore check, cut planning, edge choice, numbing, stopping bleeding, sample placing, and right fixing and labelling for best tissue reading and fewer problems.
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 screeningThis part reviews when to ask for PET-CT or chest CT in suspected mouth cancer, stressing staging aims, finding far spread, timing near biopsy and surgery, and how scan results shape team treatment plans.
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 pathologyThis part focuses on full-mouth x-rays for jaw checks, reviewing when to use, patient placing, normal structure, and reading common problems, while noting limits and when detailed scans are needed.
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
