Iran ENT Specialty Board study plan
Iran ENT Specialty Board · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Otology and Neurotology & Basic Sciences Relevant to ENT (anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology)
Draw the temporal bone from memory (middle ear clefts, ossicular chain, facial nerve segments, jugular bulb relations) and label it without references
Explain the physiology of cochlear transduction and endocochlear potential aloud in under 5 minutes
Classify chronic otitis media (mucosal, squamous, with/without cholesteatoma) and state the surgical implication of each category
List the indications, contraindications, and complications of tympanoplasty and mastoidectomy with figures for success rates
Your checkpoint
A one-page hand-drawn temporal bone map plus a 20-row table of COM subtypes mapped to surgical options, self-quizzed to 90% recall
Otology and Neurotology & Audiology and Vestibular Medicine
Interpret pure-tone audiograms, tympanograms, and acoustic reflex patterns for 15 constructed cases and commit to a diagnosis for each
Differentiate conductive, sensorineural, and mixed hearing loss using tuning fork tests and audiometric data
Explain vestibular physiology and the bedside interpretation of Dix-Hallpike, head impulse, and head-shake tests
Outline the management of sudden sensorineural hearing loss, including steroid dosing routes and prognostic factors
Describe vestibular rehabilitation principles and when to refer versus treat medically
Your checkpoint
A 15-case audiovestibular workbook with written diagnoses, reasoning, and next steps, scored against a self-made answer key
Otology and Neurotology
Compare imaging (CT vs MRI sequences) for cholesteatoma, vestibular schwannoma, and glomus tumors and justify each choice
Explain the pathophysiology and staging of otosclerosis and the expected audiometric and surgical outcomes
Summarize the approach to pediatric and adult facial nerve palsy by anatomic level and etiology
Review the complications of otitis media (mastoiditis, labyrinthitis, intracranial extension) with recognition and urgency for each
Your checkpoint
A 10-item imaging-and-diagnosis decision sheet covering cholesteatoma, schwannoma, glomus, and otosclerosis, each with the preferred study and rationale
Rhinology and Sinus Surgery & Allergy and Immunology in ENT
Map the paranasal sinus anatomy and ostiomeatal complex on a self-drawn diagram, including dangerous variants (Onodi cell, dehiscence, anterior ethmoid artery)
Explain the pathophysiology and medical management of chronic rhinosinusitis with and without polyps, including biologic therapy indications
Interpret allergy testing (skin prick, specific IgE) and outline immunotherapy principles and contraindications
List the complications of endoscopic sinus surgery and the intraoperative steps that prevent each
Your checkpoint
A self-drawn sinus anatomy diagram with danger zones annotated, plus a 12-row table linking sinus surgery complications to preventive steps
Laryngology and Voice Disorders & Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
Evaluate hoarseness using stroboscopy findings and classify benign vocal fold lesions by appearance and mechanism
Outline the assessment and management of airway obstruction in children, including stridor differentiation by age and onset
Describe the management of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis and the rationale for vaccination
Explain the workup of a pediatric neck mass by location and age, distinguishing congenital from neoplastic causes
State the indications and timing for adenotonsillectomy and the evidence for outcomes in obstructive sleep apnea
Your checkpoint
A voice-and-pediatric-airway case file of 10 scenarios with diagnosis, first-line management, and red flags, each written in under 100 words
Head and Neck Surgery and Oncology & Skull Base Surgery
Stage head and neck squamous cell carcinoma by site (oral cavity, larynx, oropharynx, nasopharynx) using current TNM principles
Outline the workup of a neck mass by age and location, including when to biopsy versus observe
Compare surgical, radiation, and chemoradiation approaches for laryngeal cancer by stage and the functional trade-offs
Describe the parotid and thyroid surgical anatomy with the facial nerve and recurrent laryngeal nerve landmarks and at-risk structures
Summarize the principles of skull base tumor approaches (endoscopic vs open) and the structures at risk in each corridor
Your checkpoint
A staging-and-management matrix covering four head and neck sites and two skull base approaches, with nerve-at-risk annotations
Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery & Basic Sciences Relevant to ENT (anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology)
Plan facial reconstruction by defect location and size, choosing among local flaps, grafts, and regional flaps with rationale
Explain the blood supply and design of the most common facial flaps and their failure modes
Review the pharmacology of local anesthetics, vasoconstrictors, and perioperative antibiotics relevant to ENT surgery
Describe wound healing phases and the factors that alter scarring in facial surgery
Outline the management of facial trauma by zone (upper, mid, lower) with priority sequencing
Your checkpoint
A facial defect reconstruction decision tree with at least 8 defect scenarios and a chosen flap for each, plus a one-page pharmacology summary
Otology and Neurotology & Rhinology and Sinus Surgery & Laryngology and Voice Disorders & Head and Neck Surgery and Oncology & Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology & Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery & Skull Base Surgery & Allergy and Immunology in ENT & Audiology and Vestibular Medicine & Basic Sciences Relevant to ENT (anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology)
Complete a timed full-length mock exam under exam conditions and score it by domain
Re-teach the three weakest domains from notes without references and identify remaining gaps
Consolidate high-yield facts into a single condensed review sheet per domain
Rehearse structured case answers aloud for 10 high-frequency scenarios to build fluency under time pressure
Your checkpoint
A scored mock exam report with per-domain percentages and a prioritized final-week gap list of no more than 15 items
Milestones
Week 2: Score at least 80% on the 15-case audiovestibular workbook and correctly diagnose 12 of 15 without notes
Week 4: Reproduce the sinus anatomy diagram and danger zones from memory with no reference, and explain chronic rhinosinusitis medical versus surgical escalation in under 5 minutes
Week 6: Stage all four head and neck sites correctly in a 10-case set and name the nerve at risk for each of the two skull base approaches
Week 8: Score at least 65% on the timed mock exam overall with no domain below 50%, and reduce the gap list to 15 items or fewer