White and red lesions Flashcards
1. What is a white lesion of the oral mucosa?
An abnormal area of oral mucosa that appears whiter than the surrounding oral mucosa, usually slightly raised, roughened, and of different texture from adjacent normal tissues.
- What is a red lesion of the oral mucosa?
An area of oral mucosa that appears red compared to surrounding mucosa, which may be smooth and atrophic or granular and velvety.
- What changes can fungi cause in white lesions?
Fungi produce whitish pseudomembranes composed of sloughed epithelial cells, fungal mycelium, and neutrophils (e.g., candidiasis).
- What is hyperkeratosis?
Increased production of keratin.
- What is acanthosis?
Abnormal but benign thickening of the stratum spinosum (e.g., oral keratosis).
- What can increased collagen in the connective tissue indicate?
It may indicate oral submucous fibrosis.
- What are the main types of changes in white lesions?
Changes over the epithelium, within the epithelium, and under the epithelium.
- What are the main types of changes in red lesions?
Changes within the epithelium and under the epithelium.
- What is the etiology of frictional keratosis?
Chronic rubbing or friction against oral mucosa stimulates the epithelium to respond with an increased production of keratin.
- What is the clinical picture of frictional keratosis?
White plaque with a rough surface, commonly seen in areas traumatized by lips, lateral borders of the tongue, buccal mucosa along the occlusal line, and edentulous ridges.
- What is the recommended treatment for frictional keratosis?
Removal of the cause or habit, with follow-up to ensure clinical improvement. Biopsies should be performed on lesions that do not heal.
- What is morsicatio?
Habitual chewing, a parafunctional behavior done unconsciously, leading to lesions on the buccal and lip mucosa.
- What is the treatment for morsicatio?
Instruct the patient to stop the habit, or for those unable to stop, make an occlusal night guard.
- What is smokeless tobacco keratosis?
A white mucosal lesion in the area of tobacco contact, called smokeless tobacco keratosis or snuff dipper’s keratosis, caused by habitually chewing tobacco or dipping snuff.
- What are the histopathologic features of smokeless tobacco keratosis?
Hyperkeratinization, acanthosis, and epithelial vacuolizations with varying degrees of subepithelial inflammation.
- What is the treatment for smokeless tobacco keratosis?
Cessation of tobacco use, leading to normal mucosal appearance within 1-2 weeks. Biopsy for lesions that remain after 1 month or show concerning features.
- What is smoker’s palate (nicotine stomatitis)?
A white lesion that develops on the hard and soft palate in heavy smokers, characterized by a whitish palatal mucosa with slightly elevated white papules and red dots.
- What is the treatment for smoker’s palate?
Nicotine stomatitis is reversible once the habit is stopped. Biopsy any white lesion of the palatal mucosa that persists after 1 month of discontinuation of smoking.
- What are chemical injuries of the oral mucosa?
Non-keratotic white lesions caused by caustic chemicals such as aspirin, silver nitrate, formocresol, sodium hypochlorite, dental cavity varnishes, acid etching material, and hydrogen peroxide.
- What is the treatment for chemical burns?
Prevention, rinsing with water, topical steroid (0.1% triamcinolone paste), topical lidocaine gel, and carboxymethyl cellulose.
- What is oral leukoplakia?
A predominantly white lesion of the oral mucosa that cannot be characterized as any other definable lesion, considered precancerous with risk of malignant transformation.
- What are the clinical features of leukoplakia?
Occurs in adults older than 50 years, more frequently in men, painless unless ulcerated, variable in size, and may cause loss of pliability and flexibility of the oral mucosa.
- What are the types of leukoplakia?
Homogenous leukoplakia, non-homogenous leukoplakia (speckled leukoplakia/erythroleukoplakia), verrucous/villiform leukoplakia, and proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL).
- What are the clinical changes suggestive of malignant transformation in leukoplakia?
Ulceration, erythroplakia, induration, and lymphadenopathy.
- How is leukoplakia diagnosed and managed?
Diagnosis based on clinical observation and histologic examination, ruling out other conditions, and surgical excision for definitive treatment. Follow-up is important due to recurrence risk.
- What is erythroplakia?
A red lesion of the oral mucosa that cannot be characterized as any other definable lesion, often asymptomatic but may cause a burning sensation with food intake.
- What is oral submucous fibrosis?
A chronic disease affecting the oral mucosa, pharynx, and upper esophagus, commonly associated with areca nut chewing, leading to fibrosis, loss of resilience, and interference with speech and tongue mobility.
- What is the treatment for oral submucous fibrosis?
Focused on cessation of the chewing habits. Early lesions have a good prognosis as they may regress.
- What is oral hairy leukoplakia?
A white lesion on the lateral or ventral surfaces of the tongue in patients with severe immunodeficiency, strongly associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and low CD4+ T lymphocyte levels.
- What is the clinical picture of oral hairy leukoplakia?
Well-demarcated white lesion on the lateral border of the tongue, often bilateral, varying from a flat plaque-like lesion to one with papillary hair-like projections.
- How is oral hairy leukoplakia diagnosed and treated?
Diagnosis based on clinical characteristics, histopathologic examination, and detection of EBV. No treatment is indicated; the condition usually disappears with antiviral treatment for HIV.
- What is a mucous patch?
A superficial grey area of mucosal necrosis seen in secondary syphilis, characterized by multiple painless grayish white plaques on the tongue, gingiva, palate, and buccal mucosa.
- What is a parulis (gumboil)?
A localized accumulation of pus in the gingiva or alveolar mucosa, originating from periapical or periodontal abscesses.
- What is the treatment for a parulis?
Treatment of the non-vital tooth or periodontal abscess.
- What is oral candidiasis?
The most prevalent opportunistic infection affecting the oral mucosa, caused primarily by the yeast Candida albicans.