ABR Neuroradiology study guide
ABR Neuroradiology · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The American Board of Radiology (ABR) Neuroradiology Subspecialty Exam is the certification assessment for radiologists who have completed neuroradiology subspecialty training and want ABR subspecialty certification. Candidates must already hold an ABR specialty certificate in general radiology, diagnostic radiology, or interventional radiology/diagnostic radiology, and eligibility includes an accredited one-year neuroradiology fellowship plus a year of practice or additional approved training with at least one-third of that year spent in neuroradiology. The exam is a one-day, remote, computer-based test of 180 image-rich questions lasting approximately four hours, offered once a year, typically in August. Content is organized into three main categories: brain, spine, and head and neck. Topics on this exam: Brain, Spine, and Head and Neck. The ABR Neuroradiology study guide has 3 sections and about 761 words.
01Brain: Patterns, Compartments, and Vascular Logic
Build every brain question around three axes: location (supra- vs infratentorial, intra- vs extra-axial), number/timing (single vs multiple, acute vs chronic), and signal behavior (T1, T2/FLAIR, DWI/ADC, enhancement, susceptibility). Know the compartments: extra-axial spaces (epidural, subdural, subarachnoid) and intra-axial white/gray matter. Master the vascular territories (ACA, MCA, PCA, basilar perforators, watershed zones) and the classic stroke evolution timeline on DWI/ADC. For white matter disease, separate demyelination (periventricular/perivenular, Dawson fingers, open-ring enhancement), small-vessel ischemia (confluent, periventricular halo), and PRES (posterior, vasogenic edema).
266 words, about 1 min02Spine: Compartments, Cord Signal, and Degenerative Pitfalls
Approach the spine by compartment : extradural (bone/disc), intradural extramedullary (meninges, nerve roots), and intramedullary (cord). For degenerative disease, know the difference between disc bulge (broad, symmetric) and herniation (focal), and how to describe central canal, lateral recess, and foraminal stenosis using axial and sagittal images. For trauma, understand the three-column model and ligamentous injury signs (interspinous edema, facet malalignment). For cord signal abnormality, separate intramedullary tumor (expansion, syrinx, enhancement), transverse myelitis (long-segment, central), and infarction (anterior cord, restricted diffusion).
244 words, about 1 min03Head and Neck: Spaces, Nodes, and Mucosal Patterns
Anchor head and neck questions in the fascial spaces (parapharyngeal, masticator, submandibular, parotid, retropharyngeal, perivertebral) and their contents. Know the lymph node levels I–VI and the imaging criteria for pathologic nodes (size, necrosis, extranodal extension, loss of fatty hilum). For mucosal lesions, separate squamous cell carcinoma (enhancing, invasive, nodal spread) from benign patterns. Understand the parotid (superficial vs.
251 words, about 1 min