Head and neck tumours: medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw: practice question

A ENT 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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ENT · Head and neck tumours: medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw

Sample item

A 65-year-old woman with osteoporosis on long-term alendronate has exposed necrotic bone in the mandible after a tooth extraction, with no history of radiotherapy. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw

Bisphosphonates and denosumab suppress bone remodelling and can cause exposed necrotic jaw bone persisting beyond 8 weeks after extractions. Treatment is conservative with antibiotics, antiseptic rinses and sequestrectomy. Dental review before therapy lowers the risk.

Option by option

  • A. Osteosarcoma

    Osteosarcoma presents as a mass.

  • B. Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (correct)

    Correct. Antiresorptive drugs impair bone healing.

  • C. Osteoradionecrosis

    Osteoradionecrosis follows radiotherapy.

  • D. Ameloblastoma

    Ameloblastoma is a cystic tumour.

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 ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is B, Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw. Bisphosphonates and denosumab suppress bone remodelling and can cause exposed necrotic jaw bone persisting beyond 8 weeks after extractions.

Why is "Osteosarcoma" not the answer?

Osteosarcoma presents as a mass.

Why is "Osteoradionecrosis" not the answer?

Osteoradionecrosis follows radiotherapy.

Why is "Ameloblastoma" not the answer?

Ameloblastoma is a cystic tumour.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Head and neck tumours: medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw in ENT. Treatment is conservative with antibiotics, antiseptic rinses and sequestrectomy. Dental review before therapy lowers the risk.

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 Head and neck tumours: medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw?

Learn tuning fork results and audiogram patterns by sketching them. Then use the flashcards and the other ENT 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.