Lesson 1Plain radiography: indications and interpretation of panoramic radiograph (OPG) for jaw pathologyThis part focuses on wide jaw x-rays, when to use, patient setup, normal looks, common issues, limits, and when needing detailed 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 CBCTLesson 2Laboratory tests to request: CBC, inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR), blood glucose, liver function tests, and relevant infectious serology (TB screening when indicated)This part lists main lab tests for stomatology, like full blood count, swelling markers, sugar, liver checks, and germ tests, with when to use, read, and how they change plans 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 3Special stains and laboratory pathology requests: immunohistochemistry panels (p16, cytokeratins), microbial cultures, fungal stains, molecular testing where indicatedThis part covers extra pathology tests to sharpen diagnosis, like cell markers, germ and fungus checks, and gene tests, 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 4Ultrasound for superficial soft-tissue and lymph node assessment: technique and limitationsThis part reviews ultrasound for surface mouth and neck areas, scan methods, node checks, blood flow, and limits like needing skill and trouble with deep or air spots.
Ultrasound equipment and probe selectionTechnique for cervical lymph node scanningSonographic criteria of malignant nodesUse of Doppler in vascular assessmentLimitations and indications for further imagingLesson 5Advanced 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 tissues, CBCT vs 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 6Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and core biopsy of suspicious intraoral or cervical lymph nodes: technique and diagnostic yieldThis part details needle draws and core samples from odd mouth or neck nodes, when, how, avoiding issues, results value, and fitting into 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 7Interpreting pathology reports: grades, margins, perineural/lymphovascular invasion, and implications for stagingThis part shows reading mouth pathology reports, terms for severity, edges, nerve/vessel spread, node status, and using for staging and plans.
Tumor type, grade, and differentiationMargin status and clinical significancePerineural and lymphovascular invasionNodal involvement and extranodal extensionCorrelating pathology with TNM stagingLesson 8Stepwise clinical investigations: complete oral exam checklist, vital signs, focused neurological exam, dental status evaluationThis part organises full clinical checks in stomatology, outside/inside mouth exams, vitals, nerve screens, and tooth checks 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 9Biopsy planning: incisional vs excisional biopsy—selection criteria for a 1.5 cm tongue lesionThis part guides biopsy plans for 1.5 cm tongue sore, cut vs full removal, based on sore type, patient, and cancer rules to keep treatment options 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 10Biopsy technique for lateral tongue: surgical approach, margin selection, hemostasis, specimen handling, orientation, and submission for histopathologyThis part details side tongue biopsy, assessing sore, cut planning, edges, numbing, stopping bleed, sample prep, 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 11Indications 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 likely mouth cancer, staging aims, finding spread, timing with biopsy/surgery, and how results shape team 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 plans
