Mucosal Lesions (Reactive)

Question 1

gray/black/blue discoloration on oral mucosa membranes, common and benign lesion is often mistaken for melanoma, RO particles can be viewed on radiographs

Answer 1

amalgam tattoo

Question 2

a whitish sloughing appearance on mucosal membranes as a result of chemical reactivity

Answer 2

chemical burn

Question 3

Common compounds that cause chemical burns:

Answer 3

• hydrogen peroxide
• aspirin
• silver nitrate
• phenol

Question 4

sloughing of mucosal membranes due to sodium lauryl sulfate, a common surfactant in toothpastes and mouthwashes

Answer 4

dentifrice-associated sloughing

Question 5

How to treat dentifrice-associated sloughing:

Answer 5

suggest non-SLS brands such as Sensodyne, Tom’s of Maine, etc

Question 6

tongue appears dark and furry due to buildup of dead skin cells on filiform papillae

Answer 6

hairy tongue

Question 7

Potential causes of hairy tongue:

Answer 7

• poor OH
• certain medications or antibiotics
• tobacco use
• radiation tx of head/neck

Question 8

a fibrous white line in the buccal mucosa, a type of focal hyperkeratosis that forms as a result of chronic friction on mucosa

Answer 8

linea alba

Question 9

benign hyperpigmentation in the mucosal membrane (essentially just a freckle of the mucosa)

Answer 9

melanotic macule

Question 10

• condition that puts pts at an increased risk of developing certain cancers, with colorectal cancers being the most common
• common feature of this syndrome is freckling, often around the lips and mouth

Answer 10

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS)

Question 11

reaction seen on the palate caused by extreme heat from tobacco smoking, presents as red dots scattered on the palate (inflamed salivary duct openings)

Answer 11

nicotine stomatitis

Question 12

may be premalignant if associated with reverse smoking (the lit end of the cigarette is in the mouth)

Answer 12

nicotine stomatitis

Question 13

increased tissue pigmentation due to irritation from tobacco smoke

Answer 13

smoking-associated melanosis

Question 14

What causes the increased tissue pigmentation in smoking-associated melanosis?

Answer 14

tobacco chemicals can stimulate melanocytes, which results in diffuse brown macules that are typically seen in the anterior gingiva

Question 15

This condition is reversible if tobacco smoking is ceased.

Answer 15

smoking-associated melanosis

Question 16

extravascular lesions that do not blanch (blood that has escaped the vessels into tissues and thus BP cannot be altered)

Answer 16

submucosal hemorrhage

Question 17

Submucosal hemorrhages are characterized based on size:

Answer 17

• petechiae (1 mm)
• purpura (slightly larger)
• ecchymosis (1+ cm)
• hematoma (mass of blood within tissue, often caused by trauma to oral mucosa)

Question 18

a complete break through the epithelium

Answer 18

traumatic ulcer

Question 19

ulcer vs erosion

Answer 19

Ulcer = complete break of the epithelium
Erosion = incomplete break of the epithelium