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 outlines key laboratory tests in stomatology workup, including CBC, inflammatory markers, glucose, liver function, and targeted infectious serology, explaining indications, interpretation, and how results modify diagnostic reasoning and 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 indicatedThis section covers special pathology requests that refine diagnosis, including immunohistochemistry panels, microbial and fungal studies, and molecular tests, with guidance on when to request them and how results influence prognosis and 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 limitationsThis section reviews ultrasound use for superficial oral and cervical structures, describing scanning technique, lymph node characterisation, Doppler assessment, and key limitations, including operator dependence and difficulty with deep or air-containing 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 section explains selection and interpretation of advanced imaging for jaw and soft-tissue disease, comparing CBCT with medical CT, outlining indications for contrast-enhanced CT of the mandible, and defining MRI roles in soft-tissue extent and 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 yieldThis section details fine-needle aspiration and core biopsy of suspicious intraoral or cervical lymph nodes, covering indications, technique, complication avoidance, diagnostic yield, and integration of cytology or histology results into the 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 stagingThis section explains how to read and apply oral pathology reports, clarifying terminology for grades, margins, perineural and lymphovascular invasion, and nodal status, and translating these findings into staging and 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 evaluationThis section structures the complete clinical evaluation in stomatology, covering systematic extraoral and intraoral examination, vital signs, focused neurologic screening, and detailed dental status assessment to detect pathology and prioritise 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 section guides biopsy planning for a 1.5 cm tongue lesion, comparing incisional and excisional approaches, considering lesion features, patient factors, and oncologic principles to choose a safe technique that preserves 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 histopathologyThis section details lateral tongue biopsy technique, including lesion assessment, incision planning, margin selection, anaesthesia, haemostasis, specimen orientation, and proper fixation and labelling to optimise histopathologic interpretation and minimise 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 screeningThis section reviews when to request PET-CT or CT chest in suspected oral malignancy, emphasising staging goals, detection of distant metastases, timing relative to biopsy and surgery, and how imaging results influence multidisciplinary treatment planning.
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 panoramic radiography for jaw assessment, reviewing indications, patient positioning, normal anatomy, and interpretation of common pathologies, while highlighting limitations and when further cross-sectional imaging is 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
