Principles of differential diagnosis

Question 1

Pathology

Answer 1

• 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.

Question 2

Oral and maxillofacial pathology is the specialty of dentistry and the discipline of pathology that deals with the

Answer 2

nature, diagnosis, and management of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions. It is the science that investigates the causes, processes, and effects of these diseases.

Question 3

he practice of oral and maxillofacial pathology includes

Answer 3

the diagnosis of disease using clinical, radiographic, biochemical, microscopic, molecular or other examinations; and the treatment and/or management of patients.

Question 4

The practice of oral and maxillofacial pathology includes the diagnosis of disease using clinical, radiographic, biochemical, microscopic, molecular or other examinations; and the treatment and/or management of patients.
(2)

Answer 4

– Surgical Oral Pathology
– Clinical Oral Pathology

Question 5

Patient Contribution
(6)

Answer 5

• Age, gender, race
• Current medical conditions and meds
• Supplements
• Social Hx
• Oral habits
• Past medical history

Question 6

Past medical history
(3)

Answer 6

– Surgeries
– Chemo/Radiation
– Previous treatments for current problem

Question 7

3. Describing the lesion
   (4)

Answer 7

• Being able to describe the lesion allows you to include some lesions while excluding others
• In describing the lesion patterns will emerge
• Knowing if lesions are radiolucent or radiopaque help formulate your next step
• …but you need to know the “lingo”

Question 8

The Basic Ingredients
(7)

Answer 8

• Size
• Shape
• Color
• Borders
• Texture
• Consistency
• Location

Question 9

DDx of Periapical lucency– Abscess
(9)

Answer 9

– Granuloma/Cyst/Scar
– Odontogenic Keratocyst (OKC)
– Early Periapical/Focal Cemento-Osseous Dysplasia (BFOLs)
– Ameloblastoma
– Nasopalatine duct cyst/Median palatal cyst
– Artifact- Mental foramen, nasal foramen
– Dentin dysplasia-Type1
– Vitamin D resistant rickets (hypophosphatemia)

Question 10

DDx Pericoronal unilocular
radiolucency in an Adult
(8)

Answer 10

–Hyperplastic Follicle
–Dentigerous Cyst
–OKC (small, early)
–Ameloblastoma
–Calcifying Odontogenic Cyst (Gorlin Cyst)
–Orthokeratinized odontogenic cyst
–Mucoepidermoid carcinoma
–Squamous cell carcinoma

Question 11

DDx for “Floating teeth”
(5)

Answer 11

• Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis
  –scooped out radiolucency
• Burkitt Lymphoma
• Melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy
• Leukemia
  –especially if destroying follicle
• “ALWAYS” an ominous sign

Question 12

— and “—” are most important

Answer 12

Recognition
Action

Question 13

Recognition and “Action” are most important
(2)

Answer 13

–The DDx just helps you organize your thoughts
–Gives you justifications for your actions and ways to
communicate with the patient