Comparative Evaluation of VEL scope and Methylene blue in the Diagnosis of Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders
Ramesh Tatapudi1 , Pravallika Gottapu2*, Ravikanth Manyam3 , Veera Kumari Merneedi4 , Sowmya Vimala Nandika5 and Ananda Babu Beeraboina6
1,2,4,5,6Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Vishnu Dental College, Bhimavaram - 534202 (India) 3Department of Oral Pathology, Vishnu Dental College, Bhimavaram - 534202 (India) *Corresponding author Email ID: pravallikapappu92@gmail.com Phone number – 9347646140
ABSTRACT
Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) such as leukoplakia, oral lichen planus, and oral submucous fibrosis are important precursors to oral cancer, making early diagnosis essential. Conventional oral examination remains the primary diagnostic method, but adjunctive tools such as VELscope and methylene blue staining have been developed to enhance detection of dysplastic changes. This prospective study included 30 patients aged 18–60 years clinically diagnosed with OPMDs. All patients underwent VELscope examination followed by methylene blue staining, and findings were compared with biopsy results, the gold standard. The study revealed an 83.3% prevalence of dysplastic lesions. VELscope demonstrated 90.90% sensitivity and 37.5% specificity, while methylene blue staining showed 59.09% sensitivity and 12.57% specificity. The positive predictive value was 80% for VELscope and 65% for methylene blue staining, whereas the negative predictive value was 60% and 10% respectively. These findings suggest that VELscope is a simple, chairside, light-based screening tool with higher diagnostic accuracy compared to methylene blue staining. However, biopsy remains the definitive method for confirmation and grading of dysplasia.