Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: investigation of a parotid lump: 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: investigation of a parotid lump

Sample item

A 50-year-old has a slowly enlarging, firm, mobile 3-cm lump in the tail of the right parotid gland with intact facial nerve function. What is the best initial investigation to plan treatment?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Fine-needle aspiration cytology with ultrasound or MRI

FNAC with imaging gives a pre-operative diagnosis with little risk. Incisional biopsy or enucleation of a probable pleomorphic adenoma risks capsule rupture, seeding and facial nerve injury.

Option by option

  • A. Sialography

    Sialography is for duct obstruction and gives no tissue diagnosis.

  • B. Fine-needle aspiration cytology with ultrasound or MRI (correct)

    Correct. FNAC with imaging is safe and guides the extent of surgery.

  • C. Enucleation of the lump for histology

    Enucleation of a parotid tumour leaves tumour behind and causes recurrence.

  • D. Incisional wedge biopsy of the lump

    An incisional biopsy can spill tumour and damage the facial nerve.

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 B, Fine-needle aspiration cytology with ultrasound or MRI. FNAC with imaging gives a pre-operative diagnosis with little risk.

Why is "Sialography" not the answer?

Sialography is for duct obstruction and gives no tissue diagnosis.

Why is "Enucleation of the lump for histology" not the answer?

Enucleation of a parotid tumour leaves tumour behind and causes recurrence.

Why is "Incisional wedge biopsy of the lump" not the answer?

An incisional biopsy can spill tumour and damage the facial nerve.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: investigation of a parotid lump in Dentistry. Incisional biopsy or enucleation of a probable pleomorphic adenoma risks capsule rupture, seeding and facial nerve injury.

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: investigation of a parotid lump?

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.