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

Sample item

A 20-year-old has a unilocular lesion around an unerupted mandibular third molar. Histology after enucleation shows a cyst lined by ameloblastic epithelium confined to the lining, without invasion of the wall. What is the appropriate management?

ASegmental resection with clear marginsBRadiotherapy to the jawCEnucleation alone with follow-upDHemimandibulectomy with graft

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Enucleation alone with follow-up

In luminal unicystic ameloblastoma, the ameloblastic epithelium is confined to the cyst lining, and enucleation is usually sufficient. If the wall is invaded (the mural type), a more radical approach is advised. Long-term follow-up is needed.

Option by option

A. Segmental resection with clear margins
Segmental resection is for invasive or multicystic disease, not for confined lining disease.
B. Radiotherapy to the jaw
Radiotherapy is not used for ameloblastoma because of poor response and risk.
C. Enucleation alone with follow-up (correct)
Correct. Luminal disease confined to the lining responds to enucleation.
D. Hemimandibulectomy with graft
Hemimandibulectomy is far too radical for a lesion confined to the cyst lining.

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.

Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is C, Enucleation alone with follow-up. In luminal unicystic ameloblastoma, the ameloblastic epithelium is confined to the cyst lining, and enucleation is usually sufficient.

Why is "Segmental resection with clear margins" not the answer?

Segmental resection is for invasive or multicystic disease, not for confined lining disease.

Why is "Radiotherapy to the jaw" not the answer?

Radiotherapy is not used for ameloblastoma because of poor response and risk.

Why is "Hemimandibulectomy with graft" not the answer?

Hemimandibulectomy is far too radical for a lesion confined to the cyst lining.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: unicystic ameloblastoma in Dentistry. If the wall is invaded (the mural type), a more radical approach is advised. Long-term follow-up is needed.

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: unicystic 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.