Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: aneurysmal 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: aneurysmal bone cyst

Sample item

A 14-year-old has rapid painless expansion of the posterior mandible, and needle aspiration returns blood under pressure. Histology shows blood-filled spaces separated by fibrous septa containing giant cells, with no endothelial lining. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Aneurysmal bone cyst

An aneurysmal bone cyst is a blood-filled lesion with spaces lacking an endothelial lining, separated by septa containing giant cells. It expands rapidly and can look like a multilocular soap-bubble lesion. Treatment is curettage or resection.

Option by option

  • A. Simple bone cyst

    A simple bone cyst is empty or has a small amount of straw-coloured fluid.

  • B. Odontogenic keratocyst

    A keratocyst contains keratin debris and has an epithelial lining.

  • C. Central haemangioma

    A central haemangioma consists of true vascular channels with an endothelial lining.

  • D. Aneurysmal bone cyst (correct)

    Correct. Unlined blood-filled spaces with septal giant cells define this lesion.

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, Aneurysmal bone cyst. An aneurysmal bone cyst is a blood-filled lesion with spaces lacking an endothelial lining, separated by septa containing giant cells.

Why is "Simple bone cyst" not the answer?

A simple bone cyst is empty or has a small amount of straw-coloured fluid.

Why is "Odontogenic keratocyst" not the answer?

A keratocyst contains keratin debris and has an epithelial lining.

Why is "Central haemangioma" not the answer?

A central haemangioma consists of true vascular channels with an endothelial lining.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: aneurysmal bone cyst in Dentistry. It expands rapidly and can look like a multilocular soap-bubble lesion. Treatment is curettage or resection.

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: aneurysmal 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.