Dibble et al reported an instrument for evaluating oral mucositis in a patient receiving radiation therapy. This can help to monitor the patient over time. The authors are from the University of California San Francisco.
Patient selection: radiation therapy
Symptoms:
(1) pain
(2) dryness
(3) eating difficulties
(4) talking difficulties
(5) swallowing difficulties
(6) taste problems
(7) saliva problems
Severity of Symptoms
Points
none
0
mild
1
moderate
2
severe
3
Physical exam:
(1) number of ulcers
(2) size of largest ulcer in mm
(3) vesicles (present or absent; in implementation adapted to 4-tier response)
(4) red areas (present or absent; in implementation adapted to 4-tier response)
(5) white patches (present or absent; in implementation adapted to 4-tier response)
Laboratory assessment:
(1) KOH smear
(2) HSV culture
total score for symptoms =
= SUM(points for all 7 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum symptom score: 0
• maximum symptom score: 21
• The higher the score the more severe the oral mucositis.
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