ABOHNS Neurotology study guide
ABOHNS Neurotology · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
ABOHNS Neurotology refers to subspecialty certification in neurotology and related fields offered through the American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (ABOHNS), the board whose stated mission is to serve the public by assuring that diplomates meet its standards of training, knowledge and professionalism through initial and continuing certification. The credential is intended for otolaryngologists who have completed residency and pursue advanced training and practice focused on disorders of hearing, balance, the facial nerve, and the lateral skull base. The ABOHNS Neurotology study guide has 6 sections and about 1,432 words.
01Neurotology: Central vs Peripheral Vestibular Localization
The neurotology candidate must separate peripheral (labyrinth, vestibular nerve) from central (brainstem, cerebellum, cortex) disease using the pattern of nystagmus, the head impulse test, skew deviation, and the presence or absence of auditory symptoms. Understand the vestibulo-ocular reflex arc: horizontal canal to medial vestibular nucleus to abducens and oculomotor nuclei.
272 words, about 1 min02Otology: Middle Ear Disease and Conductive Hearing Loss
Otology questions test the mechanics of sound transmission and the differential of conductive hearing loss. Know the tympanic membrane landmarks, ossicular chain, and the role of the Eustachian tube in middle ear pressure regulation.
231 words, about 1 min03Skull Base Surgery: Approach Selection and Complications
Skull base questions require matching tumor location and pathology to surgical corridor. Know the middle fossa, translabyrinthine, retrosigmoid, and transcochlear approaches to the cerebellopontine angle, and when hearing preservation is feasible.
248 words, about 1 min04Vestibular Disorders: BPPV, Meniere Disease, and Vestibular Neuritis
Know the pathophysiology and bedside diagnosis of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Meniere disease, and vestibular neuritis. BPPV results from canalithiasis; posterior canal is most common.
233 words, about 1 min05Facial Nerve Disorders: Topographic Diagnosis and Management
Understand the course of the facial nerve from the brainstem through the internal auditory canal, labyrinthine segment, geniculate ganglion, tympanic segment, and mastoid segment to the stylomastoid foramen. Topographic diagnosis uses associated symptoms: lacrimation (greater petrosal nerve, geniculate), stapedial reflex (stapedius, tympanic segment), and taste (chorda tympani, mastoid segment).
226 words, about 1 min06Audiology and Hearing Rehabilitation: Interpretation and Options
Know how to interpret pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, tympanometry, and acoustic reflexes, and how to select amplification. Distinguish conductive, sensorineural, and mixed hearing loss by air-bone gap.
222 words, about 1 min