Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis — ORE Part 1 MCQ

Correct answer: C — Minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis

The correct answer is C (Minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis). The patient's 2–3 mm round painful ulcers on buccal and labial mucosa, healing in 10 days without scarring, and recurring every 6 weeks match the diagnostic criteria for minor RAS exactly. Minor RAS is the most common form of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (affecting ~80% of RAS cases), presenting with small, well-defined ulcers that heal rapidly without scarring on non-keratinized mucosa. Option D (major RAS) fails because major aphthae are larger (>5 mm), last 6+ weeks, and frequently scar. Option B (herpetiform ulceration) is ruled out: herpetiform ulcers are typically smaller (1–2 mm), occur in large clusters of 20+, and coalesce; they do not present as occasional crops of 2–3 mm ulcers. Option E (primary herpetic gingivostomatitis) is an acute viral infection with systemic features and is not recurrent in this manner. Option A (Behçet disease) requires concomitant genital ulcers and systemic features not mentioned.

Reference: University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis ulcers. https://www.uclh.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/patient-information-pages/aphthous-ulcers (May 2026); Rogers RS 3rd. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis: an update. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol. 1997;81(2):141–147. PubMed ID: 8665304.