Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: desmoplastic ameloblastoma: 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: desmoplastic ameloblastoma

Sample item

A 40-year-old has a slowly growing lesion in the anterior mandible. The radiograph shows a mixed radiolucent and radiopaque area with ill-defined margins that resembles a fibro-osseous lesion. Histology shows small epithelial islands in dense collagenous stroma. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Desmoplastic ameloblastoma

Desmoplastic ameloblastoma favours the anterior jaws and produces a mixed radiographic picture that mimics fibro-osseous lesions because of its dense collagenous stroma. Histology shows compressed epithelial islands in desmoplastic stroma. It is treated like other ameloblastomas.

Option by option

  • A. Fibrous dysplasia

    Fibrous dysplasia shows irregular woven bone in a fibrous stroma without epithelial islands.

  • B. Cemento-ossifying fibroma

    A cemento-ossifying fibroma shows cementum-like and bone material in a fibrous stroma.

  • C. Odontogenic myxoma

    An odontogenic myxoma shows a loose myxoid stroma with a few stellate cells.

  • D. Desmoplastic ameloblastoma (correct)

    Correct. Epithelial islands in dense stroma with a mixed radiographic pattern identify it.

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, Desmoplastic ameloblastoma. Desmoplastic ameloblastoma favours the anterior jaws and produces a mixed radiographic picture that mimics fibro-osseous lesions because of its dense collagenous stroma.

Why is "Fibrous dysplasia" not the answer?

Fibrous dysplasia shows irregular woven bone in a fibrous stroma without epithelial islands.

Why is "Cemento-ossifying fibroma" not the answer?

A cemento-ossifying fibroma shows cementum-like and bone material in a fibrous stroma.

Why is "Odontogenic myxoma" not the answer?

An odontogenic myxoma shows a loose myxoid stroma with a few stellate cells.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: desmoplastic ameloblastoma in Dentistry. Histology shows compressed epithelial islands in desmoplastic stroma. It is treated like other ameloblastomas.

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: desmoplastic ameloblastoma?

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.