Arab Board Radiology Final Written study guide
Arab Board Radiology Final Written · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Arab Board Final Written Examination in Diagnostic Radiology is the written component of the certification pathway leading to specialist recognition in radiology through the Arab Board of Health Specializations. It is intended for radiology residents who have completed accredited training and for practicing radiologists completing board requirements in participating Arab countries. The Arab Board Radiology Final Written study guide has 12 sections and about 3,215 words.
01Neuroradiology: Brain, Spine, Head and Neck
Master the stroke timeline and vascular territories : MCA/ACA/PCA supply, watershed zones, and the imaging evolution of infarction (loss of grey-white differentiation and insular ribbon sign on CT, restricted diffusion on DWI within minutes, pseudonormalisation at 1–2 weeks, encephalomalacia later). Know haemorrhage patterns : hypertensive basal ganglia/thalamic, lobar (amyloid, metastasis), subarachnoid (aneurysm, convexity from superficial siderosis).
343 words, about 2 min02Thoracic Imaging
Build a systematic approach to the chest radiograph (ABCDE: airway, breathing/lungs, circulation/cardiac, diaphragm, everything else). Know focal vs diffuse opacity patterns : consolidation (air bronchograms), ground-glass, reticulation, honeycombing, and the UIP pattern.
281 words, about 1 min03Cardiovascular Imaging
Understand coronary CTA : calcium score, stenosis grading, and the role of functional testing. Know cardiac MRI basics: delayed enhancement patterns (subendocardial infarct, mid-wall in non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy, epicardial in myocarditis).
277 words, about 1 min04Abdominal and Gastrointestinal Imaging
Master the acute abdomen : free air (pneumoperitoneum), bowel obstruction (transition point, small vs large bowel), ischaemia (pneumatosis, portal venous gas), and appendicitis (enlarged appendix, fat stranding). Know liver lesions : haemangioma (peripheral nodular enhancement), HCC (arterial enhancement with washout in cirrhosis), metastasis (hypovascular).
256 words, about 1 min05Genitourinary and Pelvic Imaging
Know renal masses : RCC (enhancing, heterogeneous), angiomyolipoma (fat), oncocytoma (central scar), and the Bosniak classification of cystic lesions. Understand urolithiasis (CT KUB, stone size/location, obstruction signs) and hydronephrosis grading.
255 words, about 1 min06Musculoskeletal Imaging
Understand fracture description : location, pattern, displacement, angulation, and joint involvement. Know bone tumour approach : age, location (epiphysis/metaphysis/diaphysis), margin, matrix, and periosteal reaction (benign vs aggressive).
258 words, about 1 min07Breast Imaging
Master BI-RADS categories and their management implications. Know mammographic signs : mass, calcification (benign vs suspicious morphology and distribution), architectural distortion, and asymmetry.
229 words, about 1 min08Pediatric Radiology
Understand age-specific imaging : ultrasound first in children (avoid radiation), ALARA principles, and the role of MRI. Know neonatal brain patterns: hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE), intraventricular haemorrhage grading, and the evolving appearance of the brain.
242 words, about 1 min09Interventional Radiology
Know vascular access and embolisation principles: coils, particles, glue, and the role of the interventional radiologist in trauma, GI bleeding, and tumour therapy. Understand image-guided biopsy and drainage (Seldinger technique, catheter care).
221 words, about 1 min10Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
Understand radiopharmaceuticals and their mechanisms: FDG (glucose metabolism), bone scan (osteoblastic activity), and ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) for PE. Know PET/CT indications: staging, response assessment, and the significance of SUV.
221 words, about 1 min11Physics
Master X-ray production (tube, kV, mA, focal spot) and image formation . Know CT physics : pitch, reconstruction, windowing, and dose metrics (CTDIvol, DLP).
227 words, about 1 min12Radiobiology and Radiation Safety
Understand radiation biology : deterministic vs stochastic effects, dose thresholds, and the linear no-threshold model. Know radiosensitivity (Bergonié-Tribondeau law: rapidly dividing cells most sensitive).
405 words, about 2 min