VI. Examination Preparation:
Preparing for the examination is made challenging by the nature of the question development process since the material does not come from one specific source. Although each question author was asked to provide a reference for the question origin (and to verify the correct answer), the wide and diverse capture of questions from numerous individuals in the field has led to an enormous database of question references. Further, since the questions went through a thorough and rigorous editing and updating process, many of these references have changed to more current references that reflect the changing nature of the field. Further, the exam is continually updated so that each examination will add new questions to stay current and accurate with the scope of monitoring practice. As such, no single reference can be used to prepare for the examination, but instead the Board recommends the following set of textbooks and journals as references for preparation. Note that journals will help fill the gap from knowledge contained in textbooks.
Textbooks (alphabetical order by author):
• M. J. Aminoff, Electrodiagnosis in Clinical Neurology, 5 th Edition, Elsevier, 2005.
• D.L. Beck, Handbook of Intraoperative Monitoring, Singular Publishing Group, Inc., 1994.
• E.E. Benarroch Medical Neurosciences: An Approach to Anatomy, Pathology, and Physiology by Systems and Levels, 4 th Edition, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Publishers, 1998.
• K. K. Chiappa Evoked Potentials in Clinical Medicine, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 3rd Edition, 1997.
• D.D. Daly, T.A. Pedley, Current Practice of Clinical Electroencephalography, 2nd edition, Raven Press, 1990.
• V. Deletis, J. Shils, Neurophysiology in Neurosurgery. A Modern Intraoperative Approach, Academic Press, 2002.
• JE Desmedt, Neuromonitoring in Surgery (Clinical Neurophysiology Updates, Volume 1, Elsevier Science Ltd., 1989.
• J. Engel, Surgical Treatment of the Epilepsies, 2nd Edition, Raven Press, 1993.
• R.H. Gelberman, Operative Nerve Repair and Reconstruction, Lippincott Raven, 199 1.
• B.L. Grundy, RM Villani, Evoked Potentials: Intraoperative and ICU Monitoring, Springer Verlag, 1988.
• E.R. Kandel, J.H. Schwartz, T.M. Jessell, Principles of Neural Science, 4 th Edition, McGraw-Hill, 2000.
• C.M. Loftus, V.C. Traynelis, Intraoperative Monitoring Techniques in Neurosurgery, McGraw-Hill, 1994.
• K.F. Misulis, Spehlmann's Evoked Potential Primer, 3 rd Edition, Butterworth-Heinemann, 2001.
• A. Möller, Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring, Second Edition, Humana Press, 2006.
• E. Niedermeyer, F.L. Da Silva, Electroencephalography: Basic Principles, Clinical Applications and Related Fields, 5 th Edition, Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, 2005.
• M.R. Nuwer, Intraoperative Monitoring of Neural Function, Elsevier Press, 2008.
• G.B. Russell, L.D. Rodichok, Primer of Intraoperative Neurophysiologic Monitoring, Butterworth-Heinemann Press, 1995.
• B.F. Westmoreland and E.E. Benarroch, Medical Neurosciences: An Approach to Anatomy, Pathology and Physiology by Systems and Levels, 3rd Edition, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins , 1994.
• L. Wilson-Pauwels, PA Stewart, E.J. Akesson, Cranial Nerves, BC Decker, Inc., 1998.
• G. Zouridakis , A. C. Papanicolaou , A Concise Guide to Intraoperative Monitoring , CRC Press, 2001.
Suggested Journals (alphabetical order):
• American Journal of Otology
• Clinical Neurophysiology
• Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology
• Journal of Neurophysiology
• Journal of Neuroscience
• Journal of Neurosurgery
• Neurosurgery
• Spine
• Spine Journal
Other than these suggestions, the ABNM currently does not endorse any particular review course or study guides. Further, other than reviewing the publicly available material (such as this information sheet), the active directors of the ABNM Board have agreed to refrain from participating in courses specifically designed to review or prepare for the examination. Individuals who have taken the written examination in the first few years have made the following comments. “The exam was tough but fair.” “I was a very different examination compared to the ABRET examination.” “Knowledge was needed in depth and review/study was highly recommended.” “The knowledge required included very current information, not easily accessible from older textbooks.” Individuals who did not specialize in auditory monitoring noticed the tough auditory questions. “Questions were not superficial, but rather required substantial thought.” Individuals typically used all of the time available. When asked about giving advice for studying for the examination these individuals suggested the following. Particularly helpful texts were Desmedt and Chiappa for basic electrophysiology. Review basic neuroanatomy, especially the cranial nerves. For this, the works by Netter were recommended. Review Marc Nuwer's book for basic technology and recording methodology and review Aage Moller's book for auditory monitoring. Review the Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology for current reviews as well as examine the current material presented at up-to-date meetings (such as the annual ASNM meeting) was helpful and in line with the material on the exams. |
