Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: osteosarcoma of the jaw: 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: osteosarcoma of the jaw

Sample item

A 24-year-old has swelling of the mandible and numbness of the lower lip. Intraoral films show symmetric widening of the periodontal ligament space around several teeth with ill-defined bone destruction. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Osteosarcoma

Symmetric widening of the periodontal ligament space around teeth with ill-defined destruction and paraesthesia suggests osteosarcoma. A sunray pattern may also appear.

Option by option

  • A. Chronic suppurative osteomyelitis

    Osteomyelitis has pain, fever, sequestra and a draining sinus.

  • B. Ameloblastoma

    Ameloblastoma is multilocular and expansile and rarely causes numbness.

  • C. Osteosarcoma (correct)

    Correct. Malignant bone-forming tumours widen the PDL space and cause nerve involvement.

  • D. Fibrous dysplasia

    Fibrous dysplasia has a ground-glass pattern and a gradual, painless expansion.

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, Osteosarcoma. Symmetric widening of the periodontal ligament space around teeth with ill-defined destruction and paraesthesia suggests osteosarcoma.

Why is "Chronic suppurative osteomyelitis" not the answer?

Osteomyelitis has pain, fever, sequestra and a draining sinus.

Why is "Ameloblastoma" not the answer?

Ameloblastoma is multilocular and expansile and rarely causes numbness.

Why is "Fibrous dysplasia" not the answer?

Fibrous dysplasia has a ground-glass pattern and a gradual, painless expansion.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: osteosarcoma of the jaw in Dentistry. A sunray pattern may also appear.

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: osteosarcoma of the jaw?

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.