Pathology · single question
A patient presents with small, pinpoint, red non-blanching lesions on the palate without associated fever or pain. What is the most likely diagnosis?
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Correct answer: A. Petechiae
- A. CORRECT. Petechiae are pinpoint (<2 mm) non-blanching hemorrhagic spots caused by minor bleeding under the mucosa. On the palate, they can result from trauma (e.g., forceful suction, fellatio), thrombocytopenia, or viral infections (e.g., infectious mononucleosis — 'palatal petechiae' is a classic finding).
- B. Nicotinic stomatitis (smoker's palate) presents with white keratotic changes and red dots (inflamed minor salivary gland orifices), associated with tobacco use.
- C. Palatal erythema (erythematous mucosa) is a diffuse finding, not discrete pinpoint lesions.
- D. Traumatic ulcers present as focal mucosal breaks with erythematous halos, not discrete pinpoint red spots.