AOBR Radiology study guide
AOBR Radiology · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
AOA Osteopathic Board Certification in Radiology is a board certification pathway administered by the American Osteopathic Board of Radiology (AOBR), an AOA specialty certifying board. It is intended for osteopathic physicians (DOs) who practice diagnostic radiology or one of the recognized subspecialty areas. The AOBR Radiology study guide has 5 sections and about 1,420 words.
01Diagnostic Radiology
Diagnostic radiology questions test your ability to recognize patterns, understand modality strengths and limitations, and apply systematic search patterns. You must know the classic radiographic signs (e.g., air bronchogram, silhouette sign, Kerley B lines), the difference between sensitivity and specificity of modalities (e.g., CT for renal stones, MRI for soft tissue), and the ACR Appropriateness Criteria for common scenarios.
301 words, about 2 min02Vascular & Interventional Radiology
Vascular and interventional radiology (VIR) questions focus on indications, contraindications, techniques, and complications of minimally invasive procedures. You must know the difference between diagnostic angiography and interventional procedures, the role of embolization (e.g., for GI bleeding, trauma, tumors), and the principles of thrombolysis and thrombectomy.
295 words, about 1 min03Neuroradiology
Neuroradiology covers imaging of the brain, spine, and head and neck. You must understand the strengths of CT and MRI: CT is fast and sensitive for acute hemorrhage and fractures; MRI is superior for soft tissue, ischemia, and demyelination.
286 words, about 1 min04Pediatric Radiology
Pediatric radiology emphasizes radiation protection, age-specific imaging protocols, and recognition of congenital and developmental anomalies. You must know the common pediatric emergencies: pyloric stenosis (ultrasound showing thickened pyloric muscle), intussusception (target sign on ultrasound, barium enema for reduction), malrotation with volvulus (upper GI series showing corkscrew sign), and necrotizing enterocolitis (pneumatosis intestinalis).
256 words, about 1 min05Radiation Oncology
Radiation oncology questions cover the principles of radiation therapy, including fractionation, radiobiology, treatment planning, and common indications for radiation in various cancers. You must understand the 4 R’s of radiobiology (repair, redistribution, repopulation, reoxygenation), the difference between teletherapy and brachytherapy, and the concepts of total dose, fraction size, and biologically effective dose (BED).
282 words, about 1 min