DABOM flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Nikolsky sign

Separation of epithelium with gentle lateral pressure, indicating intraepithelial acantholysis. Positive in pemphigus vulgaris and toxic epidermal necrolysis; negative in mucous membrane pemphigoid.

Wickham striae

Fine white lacy lines on the oral mucosa, characteristic of reticular oral lichen planus. They are usually bilateral and asymptomatic and help distinguish lichen planus from lichenoid reactions.

Pathergy test

A sterile needle prick producing a papule or pustule within 24-48 hours. Positive in Behçet disease and supports diagnosis when recurrent oral ulcers coexist with other systemic features.

Geographic tongue

Benign migratory glossitis with depapillated erythematous patches bordered by white lines that shift over time. Usually asymptomatic; no treatment needed beyond reassurance.

Leukoplakia definition

A predominantly white patch of the oral mucosa that cannot be characterized clinically or pathologically as any other disease. Diagnosis is by exclusion and requires biopsy to assess dysplasia.

Erythroplakia

A red patch of the oral mucosa that cannot be attributed to any other disease. It has the highest malignant transformation rate among oral potentially malignant disorders and requires prompt biopsy.

Ameloblastoma

A locally aggressive benign odontogenic tumor, usually in the mandible, appearing as a multilocular radiolucency. Treatment is resection with adequate margins because of high recurrence.

Odontogenic keratocyst

A developmental odontogenic cyst with a high recurrence rate, associated with PTCH1 mutations. Multiple lesions suggest Gorlin syndrome and warrant systemic evaluation.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma

The most common malignant salivary gland tumor, containing mucous, intermediate, and epidermoid cells. Low-grade tumors have a favorable prognosis; MAML2 translocation is characteristic.

TNM staging

A system classifying malignant tumors by primary tumor size and invasion (T), regional lymph node involvement (N), and distant metastasis (M). It guides treatment and prognosis.

Hyposalivation thresholds

Objectively reduced salivary flow, defined as unstimulated whole saliva below 0.1 mL/min or stimulated whole saliva below 0.7 mL/min. It differs from xerostomia, which is the subjective symptom.

Sjögren syndrome criteria

A systemic autoimmune disease diagnosed by dry eyes and mouth plus positive anti-Ro/SSA or anti-La/SSB, labial gland biopsy focus score ≥1, or abnormal ocular staining.

Sialolithiasis

Salivary duct or gland stones, most often in the submandibular gland. Presents with meal-time swelling and pain; diagnosed by ultrasound or CBCT and treated by removal or sialendoscopy.

Sialadenosis

Bilateral non-inflammatory enlargement of the salivary glands, especially the parotids, associated with diabetes, malnutrition, or medications. It is a secretory disorder, not a tumor.

MRONJ definition

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw: exposed bone persisting more than eight weeks in a patient taking antiresorptives or antiangiogenics, without head and neck radiation history.

Pregnancy epulis

A pyogenic granuloma of the gingiva appearing during pregnancy due to hormonal changes. It is benign and often regresses postpartum; excision is reserved for troublesome lesions.

Hunter glossitis

A smooth, beefy-red, depapillated tongue associated with vitamin B12 deficiency and pernicious anemia. It may accompany oral ulceration and neurologic symptoms.

Adrenal crisis prophylaxis

Patients on long-term corticosteroids may need supplemental steroids before stressful procedures because of suppressed adrenal function. Consultation with the prescribing physician guides dosing.

Fluconazole use

A systemic azole antifungal for moderate to severe oral candidiasis or immunocompromised patients. It inhibits CYP3A4 and can raise INR with warfarin; monitor for interactions.

Topical corticosteroid cover

Use of a topical antifungal alongside potent topical steroids for erosive oral mucosal disease to prevent candidiasis, especially with clobetasol or betamethasone rinses.

Lidocaine maximum dose

The maximum safe dose of lidocaine with epinephrine is about 7 mg/kg, and without epinephrine about 4.5 mg/kg. Exceeding it risks local anesthetic systemic toxicity.

Sialagogue contraindications

Pilocarpine and cevimeline stimulate salivary flow but are contraindicated in uncontrolled asthma and narrow-angle glaucoma because of cholinergic effects.

Red complex bacteria

Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola, strongly associated with chronic periodontitis. They form a biofilm consortium that drives tissue destruction.

Ludwig angina

Bilateral cellulitis of the submandibular and sublingual spaces, often odontogenic, causing floor-of-mouth elevation and airway compromise. Requires urgent airway assessment and IV antibiotics.

Herpetic gingivostomatitis

Primary herpes simplex virus infection in children, with fever, multiple oral vesicles and ulcers, and swollen gingiva. It is self-limiting; antivirals help if started early.

Ramsay Hunt syndrome

Reactivation of varicella-zoster virus in the geniculate ganglion, causing facial palsy, ear pain, and vesicles in the ear canal. Early antiviral and steroid therapy improve outcomes.

Reciprocal click

A joint sound on both opening and closing, indicating disc displacement with reduction. The click occurs as the disc reduces on opening and displaces again on closing.

Trigeminal neuralgia

Paroxysmal electric-shock facial pain in the V2 or V3 distribution, triggered by touch, cold, or chewing, with refractory periods. Carbamazepine is first-line therapy.

Burning mouth syndrome

Bilateral burning of the tongue or lips without visible mucosal abnormality, often in postmenopausal women. Secondary causes such as anemia, diabetes, and xerostomia must be excluded.

DC/TMD axis I

The diagnostic classification for temporomandibular disorders covering pain-related conditions (myalgia, arthralgia, headache) and intra-articular disorders (disc displacement, degenerative disease, subluxation).

Incisional biopsy indication

Used for large or diffuse lesions to sample representative tissue, especially when malignancy is suspected. Excisional biopsy is reserved for small, well-defined lesions.

Toluidine blue staining

A vital dye that stains nucleic acids in dysplastic mucosa but has low specificity. It is not a substitute for biopsy and should not be used alone as a screening test.