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 lists key lab tests in stomatology workup, including full blood count, swelling markers, sugar, liver work, and aimed infection blood tests, explaining when, reading, and how results change diagnosis think and procedure 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 covers special tissue requests dat sharpen diagnosis, including mark panels, germ and fungus studies, and gene tests, with guide 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 limitationsDis section checks ultrasound use for surface mouth and neck parts, describing scan way, lymph node describe, blood flow check, and main limits, like worker depend and hard 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 spreadDis section explains picking and reading advance scans for jaw and soft tissue disease, comparing CBCT with medical CT, listing when for dye-boost CT of jaw, and MRI part in soft tissue reach and nerve 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 details thin-needle suck and core cut of suspect inside-mouth or neck lymph nodes, covering when, way, problem avoid, diagnosis get, and mixing cell or tissue results into full 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 explains how to read and use mouth tissue reports, clearing words for levels, edges, nerve and vessel spread, and node state, and turning dem into stage and handling 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 evaluationDis section orders full clinic check in stomatology, covering step extraoral and intraoral exam, life signs, aimed nerve screen, and full tooth state check to spot disease 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 lesionDis section guides biopsy plan for 1.5 cm tongue sore, comparing cut-piece and full-cut ways, thinking sore features, patient factors, and cancer rules to pick safe way dat keeps final treatment open.
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 details side tongue biopsy way, including sore check, cut plan, edge pick, numb, stop bleed, piece place, and right fix and label to best tissue reading and cut 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 screeningDis section checks when to ask PET-CT or chest CT in suspect mouth cancer, stressing stage aims, far spread find, time near biopsy and cut, and how scan results shape team treatment plan.
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 focuses on full-mouth x-ray for jaw check, looking at when, patient place, normal build, and reading common diseases, while pointing limits and when cross-section scan 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