The Mouth Flashcards
How are apthous ulcers diagnosed?
What causes them?
recurrent aphthous ulceration is common (20% of population) and in most cases the aetiology is unknown
history is of recurrent self-limiting episodes of painful oral ulcers (rarely on the palate)
What is the treatment for aphthous ulceration?
topical corticosteroids
they are used for symptomatic relief but have no effect on the natural history
What GI conditions can apthous ulcers be associated with?
- anaemia
- inflammatory bowel disease
- coeliac disease
- SLE
- Behcet’s disease
- Reiter’s disease
- pemphigus
- pemphigoid
- fixed drug reactions
How do mouth ulcers present in squamous cell carcinoma?
How are they treated?
squamous cell carcinoma presents as an indolent ulcer, usually on the lateral borders of the tongue or floor of the mouth
treated with surgery, radiotherapy or a combination of both
What tends to cause mouth ulcers associated with squamous cell carcinoma?
aetiological factors include tobacco (smoking & chewing) and alcohol
What are infective causes of mouth ulcers?
many infections can affect the mouth, but the most common are viral and are:
- herpes simplex virus type 1
- herpes zoster virus
- coxsackie a virus
What are oral white patches associated with?
- smoking
- Candida infection
- lichen planus
- trauma
- syphilis
What does leucoplakia mean?
Why does it need to be biopsied?
leucoplakia is the term used to describe oral white patches or plaques for which no local cause can be found
it is occasionally a premalignant lesion so biopsies must be taken to exclude malignancy
What is hairy leucoplakia?
an Epstein-Barr related white patch on the side of the tongue
it is almost pathognomonic of HIV infection and is not premalignant
What is atrophic glossitis and what is it associated with?
a smooth sore tongue with loss of filiform papillae
occurs in patients with iron, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency
What is geographical tongue?
What causes it?
discrete areas of depapillation on the dorsum of the tongue
this may be asymptomatic or produce a sore tongue
the aetiology is unknown and there is no specific treatment
What commonly causes gum bleeding?
gum bleeding is commonly caused by gingivitis
this is an inflammatory condition of the gums associated with dental plaque
bleeding may also be associated with bleeding disorders and leukaemia
What is Vincent’s infection characterised by?
Acute ulcerative gingivitis
it is characterised by the development of crater-like ulcers with bleeding, involving the interdental papillae, followed by lateral spread along the gingival margins
What causes Vincent’s infection?
What are the treatments?
it is thought to be the result of spirochaetal infection occurring in the malnourished and immunocompromised
treatment is with oral metronidazole and good oral hygiene
What is xerostomia and what causes it?
xerostomia is mouth dryness
it may be caused by:
- anxiety
- drugs such as tricyclic antidepressants
- Sjögren’s syndrome
- dehydration
