ABPS Diagnostic Radiology study guide
ABPS Diagnostic Radiology · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) offers board certification in diagnostic radiology through its certifying body, the Board of Certification in Radiology. The credential is intended for physicians who have completed accredited radiology training and want board certification through the ABPS pathway rather than through the ABR. The ABPS Diagnostic Radiology study guide has 12 sections and about 3,153 words.
01Thoracic Radiology
Master the silhouette sign and the air bronchogram: loss of a normal border localizes opacity to the adjacent lobe (right heart border = right middle lobe; left heart border = lingula; diaphragm = lower lobe). Know lobar and segmental anatomy, the fissures, and how collapse produces volume loss with fissure displacement and mediastinal shift toward the opacity.
289 words, about 1 min02Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology
Build a systematic approach to the acute abdomen: bowel obstruction (dilated loops, air-fluid levels, transition point), perforation (free intraperitoneal air, best seen on upright or decubitus views), ischemia (pneumatosis, portal venous gas, thumbprinting), and inflammation. Know the CT features of appendicitis (dilated appendix 6 mm, periappendiceal fat stranding, appendicolith) and diverticulitis (left-sided, pericolic stranding, abscess).
282 words, about 1 min03Genitourinary Radiology
Know renal anatomy and the Bosniak classification of cystic renal masses, from simple cyst (I) to clearly malignant (IV, with solid enhancing components). Understand the imaging features of renal cell carcinoma (clear cell: hypervascular; papillary: hypovascular), angiomyolipoma (macroscopic fat), and transitional cell carcinoma (filling defect in the collecting system).
263 words, about 1 min04Musculoskeletal Radiology
Understand the ABCs of bone lesions: age, location (epiphysis, metaphysis, diaphysis), margin (narrow zone of transition = benign; wide = aggressive), matrix (osteoid, chondroid, fibrous), and periosteal reaction (benign solid vs aggressive spiculated or Codman triangle). Know the classic appearances: osteosarcoma (sunburst, Codman triangle, metaphysis of long bones in adolescents), Ewing sarcoma (diaphysis, onion-skin periosteum), giant cell tumor (epiphyseal, eccentric), osteochondroma (continuity with cortex and medulla), and enchondroma (chondroid matrix, stippled calcification).
236 words, about 1 min05Neuroradiology (Brain, Spine, Head and Neck)
Know the vascular territories and the imaging of acute stroke: early signs (loss of insular ribbon, hyperdense MCA sign), the role of CT angiography and perfusion, and the distinction between cytotoxic and vasogenic edema. Understand intracranial hemorrhage: epidural (lens-shaped, middle meningeal artery), subdural (crescentic, bridging veins), subarachnoid (basal cisterns), and intraparenchymal.
252 words, about 1 min06Breast Imaging
Master the BI-RADS lexicon and categories: 0 (incomplete), 1 (negative), 2 (benign), 3 (probably benign, short-interval follow-up), 4 (suspicious, biopsy), 5 (highly suggestive of malignancy), 6 (known malignancy). Understand mammographic signs: masses (shape, margin, density), calcifications (benign: coarse, round, vascular; suspicious: pleomorphic, linear, branching), architectural distortion, and asymmetry.
217 words, about 1 min07Cardiovascular Imaging
Understand the imaging of coronary artery disease: calcium scoring, CT coronary angiography, and the role of functional testing. Know the appearance of aortic dissection (intimal flap, true vs false lumen), aneurysm (diameter thresholds for intervention), and intramural hematoma.
230 words, about 1 min08Pediatric Radiology
Know age-specific patterns: the thymus in infants (sail sign, not a mass), physiologic bowing, and normal variants. Understand the imaging of common pediatric emergencies: intussusception (target sign, ileocolic), pyloric stenosis (thickened pyloric muscle, elongated canal), malrotation with volvulus (corkscrew sign), and necrotizing enterocolitis (pneumatosis).
207 words, about 1 min09Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
Understand the principles of radiotracers and their indications: FDG-PET for oncology (staging, response), bone scan for metastases and osteomyelitis, V/Q scan for pulmonary embolism, and thyroid imaging. Know the appearance of normal physiologic uptake and the common pitfalls.
202 words, about 1 min10Ultrasound and Obstetric/Gynecologic Imaging
Understand the physics of ultrasound: frequency versus resolution and penetration, artifacts (posterior acoustic enhancement, shadowing, reverberation), and Doppler principles. Master obstetric ultrasound: dating, fetal biometry, placental evaluation, and the signs of ectopic pregnancy (empty uterus, adnexal mass, free fluid).
215 words, about 1 min11Interventional and Vascular Radiology
Know the indications and techniques for image-guided procedures: biopsy, drainage, and vascular access. Understand the principles of angiography: Seldinger technique, catheter selection, and embolization materials.
185 words, under 1 min12Radiologic Physics
Understand X-ray production: the tube, kVp (penetration and contrast), mAs (quantity), and the heel effect. Know the interactions of X-rays with matter: photoelectric absorption (increases with atomic number and lower energy), Compton scatter (decreases contrast), and pair production.
575 words, about 3 min