ABR (NAR) study guide
ABR · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The American Board of Radiology (ABR) Diagnostic Radiology (DR) initial certification is the pathway by which a diagnostic radiologist becomes board certified in the United States. It is designed for physicians who have completed a year of clinical training and a four-year ACGME- or RCPSC-accredited DR residency (or the International Medical Graduate Alternate Pathway), and who hold a valid state or provincial license - a training license is acceptable while still in training. The ABR study guide has 12 sections and about 3,119 words.
01Breast Imaging
Breast imaging questions emphasize modality selection, BI-RADS lexicon and management, screening performance, and breast cancer staging. Expect mammography (including digital breast tomosynthesis), ultrasound, MRI, and image-guided biopsy.
312 words, about 2 min02Cardiovascular Imaging
Cardiovascular imaging tests ischemic and structural heart disease, vascular emergencies, appropriateness, and radiation dose. Modalities include coronary CT angiography (CCTA), cardiac MRI, echocardiography, nuclear perfusion, and CT/MR angiography.
280 words, about 1 min03Computed Tomography
CT questions cover physics, contrast timing, protocol selection, radiation dose, and artifacts. Expect CT numbers, windowing, multiphasic liver/pancreas protocols, renal stone CT, and dose-reduction principles.
286 words, about 1 min04Gastrointestinal Imaging
GI imaging tests fluoroscopy, bowel obstruction, inflammatory bowel disease, liver lesions, pancreaticobiliary disease, and postoperative complications. CT and MR enterography are high-yield.
280 words, about 1 min05Genitourinary Imaging
GU imaging covers renal masses, urolithiasis, prostate MRI, bladder cancer, adrenal lesions, and female pelvic imaging. Expect multiphasic CT/MRI, PI-RADS, Bosniak classification, and stone protocols.
267 words, about 1 min06Interventional Radiology
IR questions cover image-guided procedures, vascular access, embolization, ablation, drainage, periprocedural medications, and complications. Expect patient selection, technique, and complication management.
233 words, about 1 min07Magnetic Resonance Imaging
MRI tests physics, pulse sequences, image contrast, artifacts, safety, and contrast agents. Expect T1/T2 weighting, fat suppression, STIR, diffusion, gadolinium safety, and implant screening.
268 words, about 1 min08Musculoskeletal Radiology
MSK radiology covers fracture detection, arthritis patterns, bone tumors, infection, sports injuries, and spine imaging. Expect radiographic lines and angles, MRI signal patterns, and complication recognition.
263 words, about 1 min09Neuroradiology
Neuroradiology covers acute stroke, intracranial hemorrhage, tumors, infection, spine disease, and head/neck imaging. Expect CT/CTA/CT perfusion, MRI stroke protocols, and hemorrhage patterns.
224 words, about 1 min10Noninterpretive Skills
Noninterpretive skills cover quality and safety, ethics, informed consent, communication, radiation protection, contrast reactions, informatics, and basic biostatistics. Questions test practical decision-making, not image interpretation.
235 words, about 1 min11Nuclear Radiology
Nuclear radiology covers radiopharmaceuticals, PET/CT, bone scanning, thyroid imaging and therapy, dosimetry, and radiation safety. Expect uptake patterns, indications, and therapy contraindications.
241 words, about 1 min12Pediatric Radiology
Pediatric radiology emphasizes age-specific disease, radiation reduction, congenital anomalies, child abuse, and emergency imaging. Expect ultrasound-first strategies and developmental anatomy.
230 words, about 1 min