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, like full blood count, swelling markers, sugar, liver checks, and germ tests, explaining when, reading, 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 requests to sharpen diagnosis, like cell markers, germ and fungus tests, and gene tests, guiding 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 sound wave scans for surface mouth and neck parts, scan method, node description, blood flow check, and limits like operator skill and 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 part explains picking and reading advanced scans for jaw and soft parts, comparing dental CT with body CT, when for dye jaw CT, and MRI for soft 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 suck and core cut of odd mouth or neck nodes, when, method, avoiding problems, results value, and fitting cell or tissue 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 part explains reading mouth tissue reports, terms for levels, edges, nerve/vessel spread, node status, and turning into stage 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 sets full clinic check in stomatology, outside and inside mouth, life signs, nerve screen, and tooth check to spot problems 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 part guides tissue cut planning for 1.5 cm tongue sore, comparing cut-piece vs full removal, lesion and 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 part details side tongue tissue cut, sore check, cut plan, edge pick, numb, stop bleeding, sample setup, fix, label 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 for PET-CT or chest CT in suspected mouth cancer, stage aims, far spread find, timing vs biopsy/surgery, and how scans shape team care 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 jaw x-rays, when, patient setup, normal parts, common problem reading, limits, and when need slice scans.
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
