Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: simple bone cyst: practice question

A Dentistry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dentistry · Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: simple bone cyst

Sample item

A 14-year-old has an incidental radiolucency in the mandibular body that scallops upward between the roots of vital teeth without displacing them. What is the most likely finding at surgical exploration, and how is it treated?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. An empty cavity without lining, treated by curettage to cause bleeding

A simple (traumatic) bone cyst is an empty or fluid-containing cavity with no epithelial lining. Scalloping between roots of vital teeth is typical. Surgical exploration and curettage of the wall causes bleeding, and the cavity usually fills with bone.

Option by option

  • A. A solid mass with giant cells needing resection with margins

    A giant cell lesion is solid and would be treated by curettage or resection.

  • B. A keratin-filled lined cavity needing enucleation and Carnoy's solution

    A lined cavity with keratin describes a keratocyst, which is not what is found here.

  • C. A blood-filled cavity with septa needing embolisation first

    A blood-filled septated cavity describes an aneurysmal bone cyst, not an empty one.

  • D. An empty cavity without lining, treated by curettage to cause bleeding (correct)

    Correct. An unlined empty cavity heals after bleeding is induced by curettage.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is D, An empty cavity without lining, treated by curettage to cause bleeding. A simple (traumatic) bone cyst is an empty or fluid-containing cavity with no epithelial lining.

Why is "A solid mass with giant cells needing resection with margins" not the answer?

A giant cell lesion is solid and would be treated by curettage or resection.

Why is "A keratin-filled lined cavity needing enucleation and Carnoy's soluti…" not the answer?

A lined cavity with keratin describes a keratocyst, which is not what is found here.

Why is "A blood-filled cavity with septa needing embolisation first" not the answer?

A blood-filled septated cavity describes an aneurysmal bone cyst, not an empty one.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: simple bone cyst in Dentistry. Scalloping between roots of vital teeth is typical. Surgical exploration and curettage of the wall causes bleeding, and the cavity usually fills with bone.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: simple bone cyst?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.