The Diagnostic Process

Question 1

Making a Diagnosis

Answer 1

• The process of diagnosis requires gathering information that is relevant to the patient and the lesion being evaluated; this information comes from various sources.
• There are eight distinct diagnostic categories that contribute segments of information leading to a definitive or final diagnosis.

Question 2

The 8 diagnostic categories

Answer 2

1. Clinical diagnosis
2. Radiographic diagnosis
3. Historical diagnosis
4. Laboratory diagnosis
5. Microscopic diagnosis
6. Surgical diagnosis
7. Therapeutic diagnosis
8. Differential diagnosis

Question 3

What does the Clinical Diagnosis suggest?

Answer 3

*The strength of the diagnosis comes from the clinical appearance of the lesion.
(The clinician can establish a diagnosis for some lesions based on color, shape, location, and history of the lesion.)

• Examples of lesions that may be clinically diagnosed include Fordyce granules, torus palatines, mandibular tori, melanin pigmentation, retrocuspid papillae, and lingual varicosities.
• Other benign conditions of unknown cause that are recognized by their distinct clinical appearance include fissured tongue, median rhomboid glossitis, geographic tongue, and hairy tongue.
• The diagnostic process may require historical information in addition to the clinical findings.
  (example: an amalgam tattoo)