Iran Specialty Board Radiology study plan

Derive and apply the key formulas for radiation dose, exposure, and image quality (mAs, kVp, HVL, SNR, CNR) to at least 20 calculation-style practice items without reference notes.

Compare detector technologies and reconstruction principles across radiography, CT, MRI, and ultrasound by writing a one-page comparison table from memory, then correcting gaps.

Classify deterministic versus stochastic radiation effects and state practical dose-reduction measures for CT, fluoroscopy, and pediatric imaging with justification.

Build a brain-CT systematic search pattern (gray-white differentiation, sulci, ventricles, midline, cisterns, bone, extracranial) and rehearse it aloud on 15 unknown cases.

Construct a segment-based differential for focal liver lesions using contrast-enhancement patterns on multiphasic CT and MRI, and test it against 20 practice cases.

Differentiate bowel obstruction, ischemia, and perforation on CT by listing discriminating signs and ranking them by diagnostic value.

Interpret abdominal ultrasound findings for biliary, renal, and appendiceal disease, distinguishing true pathology from artifacts and normal variants.

Integrate emergency multisystem cases (acute abdomen, trauma) by writing structured findings-first reports for 10 scenarios.

Apply a pattern-based approach to focal bone lesions (age, location, margin, matrix, periosteal reaction) to classify 20 practice lesions as aggressive or non-aggressive.

Evaluate arthritis patterns (distribution, erosions, osteophytes, ankylosis) and assign the most likely diagnosis in 15 cases.

Recognize classic chest patterns (consolidation, ground-glass, reticulation, honeycombing, nodules, cavitation) and match each to a short differential.

Stage and describe lung cancer and mediastinal masses using the current TNM framework and compartment anatomy in written practice reports.

Distinguish cystic from solid renal masses using Bosniak and enhancement criteria, and justify management in 15 written case summaries.

Interpret prostate MRI using PI-RADS categories and explain the scoring rationale for 10 lesions.

Recognize cardiac chamber enlargement, pericardial disease, and common congenital shunt patterns on CT and MRI in 12 cases.

Correlate vascular pathology (aortic dissection, aneurysm, pulmonary embolism) with CTA findings and report key negative and positive findings.

Apply BI-RADS lexicon terms and final categories to 25 mammography, ultrasound, and MRI descriptions, stating the management implication for each.

Explain screening controversies, breast density reporting, and the limitations of each modality in concise written summaries.

Interpret ventilation-perfusion, bone, and thyroid scan patterns and match each to a differential in 15 cases.

Explain radiopharmaceutical selection, biodistribution, and common pitfalls for the main nuclear medicine studies.

Adapt imaging strategies to pediatric patients by age, selecting modality and protocol for common presentations (vomiting, limp, respiratory distress, abdominal pain) in 15 scenarios.

Recognize pediatric-specific diagnoses (intussusception, pyloric stenosis, malrotation, DDH, child abuse patterns) and state the confirmatory study for each.

Plan interventional procedures by listing indications, contraindications, technique steps, and complications for biopsy, drainage, TIPS, and embolization.

Select appropriate embolic agents and access routes for given vascular scenarios and justify the choice.

Localize lesions along the spinal cord and nerve-root axis and distinguish intramedullary, extramedullary-intradural, and extradural patterns in 20 cases.

Interpret head and neck CT and MRI for common emergencies (stroke, hemorrhage, abscess, orbital cellulitis, neck-space infection) with a findings-first structure.

Apply trauma and multisystem protocols (FAST, whole-body CT, contrast timing) and identify must-not-miss injuries in 10 scenarios.

Explain contrast media reactions, prophylaxis, and nephrogenic systemic fibrosis risk, and apply them to clinical decisions.

Complete two full-length timed mock exams under exam conditions and record domain-level accuracy.

Re-drill every missed item by writing the underlying principle and the reason the chosen answer was wrong.

Rehearse the highest-yield physics, chest, abdominal, musculoskeletal, neuro, and emergency facts using spaced-repetition cards until recall is fluent.

Consolidate a one-page rapid-review sheet per high-weight domain and self-quiz from it without notes.