AAPD-QE Practice Exam 2025 – Your Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Ameloblastoma is a benign but locally aggressive odontogenic tumor that typically presents with a distinct radiographic appearance. The "soap bubble" appearance is considered characteristic of ameloblastoma on imaging. This term describes the multilocular or multilobulated nature of the tumor, which creates an appearance reminiscent of soap bubbles in a 2D projection. It often manifests in the mandible, leading to cortical expansion and can sometimes be confused with other conditions, but the soap bubble appearance is a key feature that helps in its identification.

The other appearances listed do not specifically correlate with ameloblastoma: "onion skin" generally describes a type of periosteal reaction often seen in conditions like osteomyelitis or certain types of bone sarcomas; "sunburst" is associated with osteosarcoma, reflecting a radiating pattern of bone formation; and "lytic lesions" can indicate various pathologies, including metastatic disease or other types of bone tumors, but do not specify the unique appearance linked to ameloblastoma. Thus, the soap bubble characteristic remains the definitive distinguishing feature in diagnosing ameloblastoma radiographically.