Principles of Differential Diagnosis Flashcards
• The medical science, and specialty practice, concerned with
all aspects of disease, but with special reference to the
essential nature, causes, and development of abnormal
conditions, as well as the structural and functional changes
that result from the disease processes.
Pathology
• Requires a thorough knowledge of NORMAL and
–The “RANGE of normal”
–WNL
Recognition
• Age, gender, race • Current medical conditions and meds • Supplements • Social Hx • Oral habits • Past medical history – Surgeries – Chemo/Radiation – Previous treatments for current problem
Patient Contribution
- Being able to describe the lesion allows you to include some lesions while excluding others
- In describing the lesion patterns will emerge
- Remembering WHY lesions are white or red help
Describing the lesion
Allows the passage of x-rays. Appears black. Destruction of bone.
Radiolucent
• Blocks the passage of x-rays. Appears white. Formation of bone or
other mineralized material.
Radiopaque
• A small circumscribed elevated lesion usually less than 1cm in
diameter, usually contains serous fluid
Vesicle
• Circumscribed elevated lesion that is around 1cm in diameter, usually
contains serous fluid
Bulla
• Various sized circumscribed elevations containing pus
Pustule
• A segment or lobe that is a part of the whole, these lobes sometimes
appear fused together
Lobule
• An area that is usually distinguished by a color different from that of
the surrounding tissue: It is flat and does not protrude above the
surface of the normal tissue.
-can’t palpate; only see
Macule
• A small circumscribed lesion usually less than 1cm in diameter that is
elevated or protrudes above the surface of normal surrounding
tissue.
Papule
• A circumscribed lesion usually greater than 1cm in diameter that is
elevated or protrudes above or below the surface of normal
surrounding tissue.
Nodule
• Attached by a stem-like or stalk base
Pedunculated
• Describing the base of a lesion that is flat stem-like
Sessile
• A loss of continuity of the epithelium that penetrates to the the
underlying connective tissue
Ulcer
• A patch or differentiated area on a body surface
Plaque
(surface texture)
wrinkled
Corrugated
(surface texture)
–A cleft or grove, normal otherwise, showing prominent
depth
Fissure
(surface texture)
–Resembling small nipple-shaped projections or elevations
found in clusters
)Papillary
What does DINR stand for?
Developmental
Infectious
Neoplastic
Reactive
What are the 2 most important steps in creating the differential diagnosis?
Recognition and Action
