Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: ghost cells and pilomatrixoma: 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: ghost cells and pilomatrixoma

Sample item

Ghost cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm and no nuclei are seen in the calcifying odontogenic cyst. The same cells are characteristic of which cutaneous tumour?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Pilomatrixoma

Ghost cells are shadow cells that have lost nuclei, and they are found in pilomatrixoma (calcifying epithelioma of Malherbe) and in the calcifying odontogenic cyst. Both lesions commonly carry activating CTNNB1 (beta-catenin) mutations.

Option by option

  • A. Trichilemmal cyst

    A trichilemmal cyst contains homogeneous keratin and no ghost cells.

  • B. Keratoacanthoma

    A keratoacanthoma shows a keratin-filled crater with well-differentiated squamous cells.

  • C. Pilomatrixoma (correct)

    Correct. Pilomatrixoma shares ghost cells and CTNNB1 mutations with the odontogenic cyst.

  • D. Basal cell carcinoma

    Basal cell carcinoma shows peripheral palisading and clefting, not ghost cells.

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 C, Pilomatrixoma. Ghost cells are shadow cells that have lost nuclei, and they are found in pilomatrixoma (calcifying epithelioma of Malherbe) and in the calcifying odontogenic cyst.

Why is "Trichilemmal cyst" not the answer?

A trichilemmal cyst contains homogeneous keratin and no ghost cells.

Why is "Keratoacanthoma" not the answer?

A keratoacanthoma shows a keratin-filled crater with well-differentiated squamous cells.

Why is "Basal cell carcinoma" not the answer?

Basal cell carcinoma shows peripheral palisading and clefting, not ghost cells.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: ghost cells and pilomatrixoma in Dentistry. Both lesions commonly carry activating CTNNB1 (beta-catenin) mutations.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. 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: ghost cells and pilomatrixoma?

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.