Arab Board Neurosurgery Final Written study plan

Arab Board Neurosurgery Final Written · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 7 hours per week

Week 1

Neurotrauma and Critical Care & Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery

Classify traumatic brain injury by morphology and grade severity using GCS and Marshall criteria from memory
Outline the initial resuscitation sequence for polytrauma with suspected spinal injury, including clearance and immobilization decisions
Compare decompressive craniectomy versus medical management thresholds in severe TBI and state the evidence base for each
Diagram the Circle of Willis and label the segments most relevant to aneurysm and stroke intervention
Explain the distinction between ischemic core and penumbra and how perfusion imaging changes acute stroke triage

One-page decision aid for severe TBI and a 10-question self-quiz on cerebrovascular anatomy, both scored and error-logged

Week 2

Differentiate the major intracranial hemorrhage patterns (epidural, subdural, subarachnoid, intraparenchymal) and justify surgical indications
Describe the Hunt-Hess and modified Fisher grading systems and apply them to sample clinical vignettes
Sequence the management of ruptured aneurysm from presentation through definitive securing, including vasospasm prophylaxis
Identify the indications, timing, and complications of decompressive surgery in malignant middle cerebral artery infarction

Written case-based answers to 8 trauma and vascular vignettes with cited reasoning for each management step

Week 3

Classify adult gliomas using current WHO integrated diagnosis and state the molecular markers that drive prognosis
Differentiate the imaging and management approach for extra-axial versus intra-axial tumors, including meningioma grading
Outline the surgical decision-making for spinal metastases using a validated scoring framework and justify the choice
Compare anterior versus posterior approaches to the cervical spine by indication and complication profile

Comparison table of 10 intracranial and spinal tumor entities covering imaging, molecular features, and first-line management

Week 4

Describe the management of degenerative lumbar stenosis and disc herniation, including when conservative care fails
Explain the workup and surgical options for spinal cord compression of neoplastic and infectious origin
Outline the principles of surgical margins and adjuvant therapy for high-grade glioma and skull base tumors
Justify the use of intraoperative adjuncts (navigation, mapping, ultrasound) in tumor and spinal surgery

Timed 40-question mixed block on oncology and spine, with a written review of every missed item

Week 5

Trace the major motor, sensory, and cranial nerve pathways and predict deficits from specified lesion locations
Explain cerebrospinal fluid production, circulation, and absorption and the physiology behind hydrocephalus
Compare CT, MRI, and advanced sequences (DWI, perfusion, spectroscopy) by clinical question and interpret basic findings
Correlate neurophysiological monitoring modalities with the neural structures they protect during surgery

Annotated lesion-localization set of 15 cases with predicted deficit and the imaging modality of choice for each

Week 6

Differentiate the causes of pediatric hydrocephalus and select the appropriate shunt or endoscopic procedure
Describe the management of myelomeningocele, Chiari malformation, and tethered cord from presentation to follow-up
Explain the evaluation and treatment of shunt malfunction and infection, including the role of external drainage
Outline the approach to pediatric brain tumors by age and location, distinguishing those with distinct biology

Pediatric and hydrocephalus decision flowchart covering 6 clinical scenarios with first-line and escalation steps

Week 7

Describe the indications and targets for deep brain stimulation in movement disorders and the expected outcomes
Explain the workup and surgical options for trigeminal neuralgia, including percutaneous and radiosurgical alternatives
Localize common peripheral nerve entrapment and injury patterns and select the appropriate repair or decompression
Outline the principles and safety considerations of stereotactic frame-based and frameless procedures

Functional and peripheral nerve summary sheet with 5 vignette-based management decisions and rationale

Week 8

Compare radiosurgery and fractionated radiotherapy by indication, dose constraints, and expected toxicity
Apply core neurocritical care principles to elevated intracranial pressure, status epilepticus, and ventilator management
Explain informed consent, capacity assessment, and error disclosure using a structured ethical framework
Review imaging and diagnostic pitfalls flagged in the earlier error log

Full-length 100-question cumulative mock exam with a written remediation plan for the lowest-scoring three domains

Week 2: Score at least 70% on a self-made 20-question trauma and vascular quiz; log every miss with the underlying knowledge gap

Week 4: Complete the timed 40-question oncology and spine block at 65% or better and finish the missed-item review

Week 6: Explain pediatric hydrocephalus and shunt failure management aloud in under 10 minutes without notes

Week 8: Achieve 70% or better on the 100-question mock and produce a written remediation plan for the three weakest domains