question 8

Question 1

explain aspiration biopsy

Answer 1

▪ Blood sample – venous blood
▪ From lesion
● For abscesses and cysts to determine content and whether
solid or fluid filled
▪ Fine needle aspiration
● Aspiration of cells from solid lesions for cytology

Question 2

explain surgical biopsy

Answer 2

▪ Excisional biopsy

● Removal of all clinically abnormal tissue
● Usually fairly confident of provisional diagnosis – denture
hyperplasia, fibrous overgrowths, mucoceles

▪ Incisional biopsy
● Must be large enough to be representative – include peri-
lesional tissue
● Useful for larger lesions or when diagnosis is uncertain –
leukoplakia, lichen planus, SCC
● Punch biopsy – removes a core of tissue with minimal damage

Question 3

how to send samples to pathology lab

Answer 3

o Sample should be placed into 10% formalin immediately
o Biopsy is fragile
▪ Suture may be used to help pathologist orientate sample
▪ Don’t use gauze – distorts sample
▪ Filter paper used to reduce distortion
o Label pot
o Include relevant clinical information on pathology form to aid diagnosis
o Pathology forms are now electronic on trakcare

Question 4

what to put in pathology form

Answer 4

o Legible writing
o Fill in patient and operator details fully
o Label specimen pot
o Include a brief clinical history – site, size, shape, colour, duration, associated
features, clinical differential diagnosis
o Summarised PMH
o Tobacco/alcohol consumption
o Indicate whether histopathology (incisional or excisional biopsy?) or
cytopathology

Question 5

if pus aspirate of dentoalveolar abscess what do you do

Answer 5

o Clinical details - pain and swelling, maxilla, provisional diagnosis
o Specimen details – pus aspirate from buccal mucosa of 26
o PPE when handling specimen
o Draw aspirate using syringe, safely remove needle and dispose in sharps. Seal
syringe with red cap for transport
o Label syringe with pt details and place in plastic bag attached to request form