Lesson 1Laboratory tests to request: CBC, inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR), blood glucose, liver function tests, and relevant infectious serology (TB screening when indicated)This section lists key lab tests for stomatology, like full blood count, swelling markers, sugar, liver checks, and germ tests, explaining when to do them, read results, and how they shape 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 section handles special tissue requests to sharpen diagnosis, like cell markers, germ and fungus tests, and gene checks, with tips on when to ask and how results affect outlook and treatment.
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 section checks ultrasound for surface mouth and neck parts, describing scan method, node looks, blood flow check, and limits like operator skill and trouble with deep or air areas.
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 section explains picking and reading advanced scans for jaw and soft tissue issues, comparing dental CT with body CT, when for dye jaw CT, and MRI 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 section details needle suck and core sample from dodgy mouth or neck nodes, covering when, method, avoiding issues, success rate, and fitting cell or tissue results into full check.
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 section shows how to read mouth tissue reports, clearing terms for severity, edges, nerve/vessel spread, node status, and turning findings into stage and treatment 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 section organises full clinical check in stomatology, covering outside/inside mouth exams, life signs, nerve screen, and tooth check to spot issues and pick next 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 section guides tissue sampling plan for 1.5 cm tongue sore, comparing cut-piece vs full removal, weighing sore traits, patient factors, cancer rules for safe method keeping 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 section details side tongue sampling method, including sore check, cut plan, edge pick, numb, stop bleeding, sample setup, fixing, labelling for best tissue reading and fewer issues.
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 section reviews when to get PET-CT or chest CT for suspected mouth cancer, stressing stage aims, far spread spot, timing vs biopsy/surgery, and how scans shape team treatment.
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 section focuses on full-mouth x-ray for jaw check, reviewing when, patient setup, normal parts, common issue reads, limits, and when cross-section scans 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
