Dental OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) Practice Exam

Which condition is associated with frequent nosebleeds and underlying vascular malformations?

1. Thrombocytopenia

2. Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia

3. Aneurysms

4. Von Willebrand disease

The correct answer is: Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia

Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT), also known as Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome, is the condition that is closely linked with frequent nosebleeds and vascular malformations. This genetic disorder primarily affects the blood vessels, leading to the formation of small and fragile blood vessel networks known as telangiectasias, which can rupture easily. The most common manifestation of this condition is recurrent epistaxis (nosebleeds) due to these fragile vessels located in the nasal mucosa. In HHT, individuals may also have arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in various organs, such as the lungs, liver, and brain, which can lead to additional complications. The genetic mutations associated with this condition affect endothelial cell behavior, resulting in the abnormal formation of blood vessels. While thrombocytopenia, aneurysms, and Von Willebrand disease can all influence bleeding tendencies, they do not specifically lead to the characteristic vascular malformations that define hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. Therefore, HHT is uniquely identified by the combination of frequent nosebleeds and these underlying vascular abnormalities.