mucosal colour changes Flashcards
Name 4 reasons for oral white lesions
Any from:
- hereditary
- smoking
- lichen planus (could also be SLE or GVHD)
- candidal leukoplakia
- carcinoma
Where does the red/pink colour of the mucosa come from?
the conective tissue and the blood vessels found there
what in the tissues causes a white lesion to be white?
the pink appearance is diluted and blood vessels are less visible
also from vasoconstriction of the blood vessels
what are Fordyce’s spots and where are they commonly seen? are they dangerous?
ectopic sebaceous glands commonly seen in the buccal mucosa and lips
Benign and normal structures
How much more likely are smokers to have leukoplakia?
6 times
When should a white lesion be referred?
if the lesion is becoming more raised and thickened
if it has an inflammatory margin
if the lesion is without cause
Why are red lesions red?
Blood flow increases which can be associated with inflammation or dysplasia
Reduced thickness of the epithelium
What are the different causes of red/blue lesions?
Fluid in the connective tissue
If dark, then possible slow moving blood, veins or cavernous haemangioma
If light blue (clear fluid) then possible saliva (mucocele) or lymph (lymphangioma)
where are red/blue lesions most often found?
under the tongue
Give examples of connective tissue diseases
‘Vascular Diseases’
Large vessel disease - giant cell arteritis
Medium vessel disease - Kawasaki disease
Small vessel disease - gramulomatosis with polyangiitis
What are the causes of mucosal pigmentation?
Exogenous staining of tea, coffee chlorhexidine or bacterial overgrowth
Intrinsic pigmentation eg - melanotic macule, melanotic naevus
Intrinsic foreign body eg - amalgam
Give 4 generalised causes of brown/black lesions
Racial
Smoking
Drugs
Addison’s disease
Give 4 localised causes of brown/black lesions
Amalgam
Melanotic macule
Melanotic naevus
Malignant melanoma
How is an amalgam tattoo diagnosed?
Must be through biopsy - radiograph isn’t enough
When should mucosal pigmentation be referred?
If it isn’t easily explained such as racial or smoking
if increasing in size, colour, or quantity
if any new systemic problems
