Egyptian Board Neurosurgery study plan

Draw from memory the scalp layers, cranial vault fracture patterns, and the epidural/subdural/Intracerebral haematoma compartments, then annotate each with the arterial or venous source and the clinical tempo it produces.

Apply the Glasgow Coma Scale, pupillary findings, and Marshall or Rotterdam CT scoring to at least 10 written head-injury vignettes and commit to a management decision for each.

State the indications, timing, and reversal agents for anticoagulant-associated intracranial haemorrhage, including platelet transfusion thresholds and vitamin K dosing.

Explain the Monro-Kellie doctrine and cerebral autoregulation curve, and use them to justify target CPP and ICP thresholds in a written paragraph.

Classify spinal column injuries using the three-column and AO Spine systems and match each pattern to a bracing versus fixation decision.

Compare the WHO grading of diffuse gliomas and meningiomas and list the molecular markers (IDH, 1p/19q, MGMT, TERT) that change diagnosis or prognosis.

Map adult supratentorial and infratentorial tumour locations to the expected clinical syndrome and the safe surgical corridor for each.

Differentiate the imaging signatures of high-grade glioma, metastasis, abscess, and lymphoma on contrast CT and MRI, and state the next diagnostic step for each.

Describe the vascular territory and neurological deficit produced by lesions of each cranial nerve and major white-matter tract relevant to tumour resection.

Outline the workup and surgical strategy for a spinal intradural extramedullary tumour versus an intramedullary lesion.

Classify lumbar and cervical degenerative disease by pathoanatomy (disc herniation, foraminal stenosis, central stenosis, spondylolisthesis) and match each to the appropriate decompression or fusion option.

Select and interpret the imaging study of choice for each spinal region and justify when CT, MRI, dynamic radiographs, or myelography is preferred.

Perform a structured neurological examination of root and cord levels and translate findings into a level-specific lesion localization.

Explain the indications, contraindications, and complications of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion versus posterior laminectomy and fusion.

Describe the red-flag features that distinguish neoplastic or infectious spinal cord compression from degenerative disease and state the emergency management pathway.

Explain the pathogenesis, grading, and treatment options for subarachnoid haemorrhage, including the timing of aneurysm securing and the management of vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischaemia.

Compare clipping versus endovascular coiling for ruptured and unruptured aneurysms using the evidence from major randomized trials and state the factors that favour each.

Describe the Spetzler-Martin grading of arteriovenous malformations and the treatment options of microsurgery, embolization, and radiosurgery with their indications.

Outline the acute ischaemic stroke pathway including thrombolysis and thrombectomy windows, and the decompressive hemicraniectomy indication for malignant middle cerebral artery infarction.

List the systemic complications of neurocritical care (ventilator-associated pneumonia, hyponatraemia, dysautonomia, venous thromboembolism) and the prevention strategy for each.

Differentiate the causes of hydrocephalus by age and mechanism, and select the appropriate shunt or endoscopic third ventriculostomy procedure with its failure risks.

Describe the embryology of neural tube closure and the antenatal and postnatal management of myelomeningocele, including timing of closure and tethered cord surveillance.

Explain the pathophysiology, classification, and treatment options for Chiari malformation and syringomyelia.

Outline the presentation and surgical principles for craniosynostosis, including the timing of surgery and the choice between strip craniectomy and cranial vault remodelling.

Describe the workup and management of paediatric posterior fossa tumours (medulloblastoma, ependymoma, pilocytic astrocytoma) and the risk of hydrocephalus with each.

Explain the presurgical evaluation of drug-resistant epilepsy, including semiology, video-EEG, MRI protocol, and the role of invasive monitoring.

Describe the targets and expected outcomes of deep brain stimulation for Parkinson disease and essential tremor, and list the patient selection criteria.

Outline the surgical options for trigeminal neuralgia and the evidence ranking microvascular decompression against ablative procedures.

Localize a peripheral nerve or brachial plexus lesion from the clinical examination and select the electrodiagnostic study that confirms it.

Describe the timing and technique of nerve repair, grafting, and transfer for acute versus chronic nerve injury.

Apply the principles of informed consent, capacity assessment, and the disclosure of surgical risk to written ethics scenarios.

Critically appraise a randomized trial and a diagnostic accuracy study by identifying bias, confounding, and the appropriate measure of effect.

Calculate sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and number needed to treat from supplied data.

Describe the perioperative management of the neurosurgical patient on antiplatelet therapy, including when to stop, bridge, and restart.

Recognize and manage the common postoperative complications of neurosurgery: haematoma, cerebrospinal fluid leak, meningitis, seizure, and venous thromboembolism.

Complete a full-length timed mock examination under exam conditions and record the score by domain.

Review every missed item and write the corrected fact with its source in a personal error log.

Rehearse the highest-yield operative anatomy and emergency algorithms from weeks 1 to 3 in a rapid recall session.

Consolidate the weakest two domains identified by the mock into a final revision sheet.

Draft a one-page exam-day strategy covering time allocation, question triage, and handling of uncertain items.