INBDE (Integrated National Board Dental Examination) Practice Exam

What kind of biopsy would you perform on necrotizing sialometaplasia?

1. Excisional

2. Incisional

3. Punch

4. Brush

The correct answer is: Incisional

Necrotizing sialometaplasia is a rare condition that affects the salivary glands and can present as a painful ulcer. It is usually self-limiting and benign but it may mimic cancerous lesions. Therefore, it is important to perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. In this case, an incisional biopsy would be the most appropriate as it allows for a larger tissue sample to be obtained, which is important given the nature of this condition. Excisional biopsy involves removing the entire lesion and would not provide enough tissue for examination. Punch biopsy is helpful for superficial lesions but may not be suitable for deeper tissues. Brush biopsy is commonly used for oral lesions but may not be ideal for necrotizing sialometaplasia as it may not adequately capture deeper layers of the lesion. Therefore, incisional biopsy is the most appropriate choice for this case.