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Minor aphthous ulceration — NDEB AFK MCQ

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HardOral PathologyMinor aphthous ulcerationNDEB AFK

A 22-year-old has recurrent painful shallow ulcers on non-keratinised labial mucosa. Each heals within 10 days and there are no vesicles, fever, or gingival swelling. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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Correct answer: A — Minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Recurrent small painful ulcers on non-keratinised mucosa that heal within about two weeks are typical of minor aphthous stomatitis. Recurrent intraoral herpes tends to occur on keratinised mucosa and often begins with vesicles. The pearl is that persistent, indurated, or atypical ulcers need further investigation rather than repeated empirical treatment.

Reference: Canadian oral medicine reference texts; NDEB KSAs 2024