Fellow of The European Board

Fellow of the European Board of Neurological Surgery
Background
In October 2015 the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS)
and the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) agreed that the existing
Diploma Examination in Neurosurgery would become a Board Examination.
The primary aim of The European Board of Neurological Surgery (EBNS) is to

create a common high standard and qualification, harmonising the quality of
neurological surgery in all European countries. This should potentially allow for
the mutual recognition of this qualification between European countries and
elsewhere and will be highly regarded asset on a Curriculum Vitae.
The standard of the examination is high. Candidates who pass both parts of the
examination (from 2016 onwards) will be appointed as Fellow of the European
Board of Neurological Surgery (FEBNS). The standard of the board fellowship
is limited to surgeons who have attained a level of knowledge and proficiency
that is recognised as appropriate for independent specialist practice. All
applicants must meet entry requirements for the examination.
It is important that candidates recognise that some European countries have an

end-of-training exam. FEBNS is NOT an alternative to a national examination,
where one exists.
Peter Whitfield 1
Chairman, European Board of Neurological Surgery
The Examination
The examination will be undertaken in the generality of adult and paediatric
neurosurgery with an emphasis on urgent and emergency neurological
surgery. Candidates will be expected to have a sound knowledge of applied
basic sciences and knowledge of the spectrum of relevant investigations, and
therapeutics. Candidates will also be expected to have a detailed knowledge of
the assessment, selection, operative management and post-operative care of
patients with neurological diseases that are managed by neurosurgeons.
The Examination consists of TWO PARTS. Only candidates that have

successfully passed part I are eligible to sit part II.
PART I: 150 single best answer multiple-choice questions (75 on Paper A and 75
on Paper B).
PART II: Oral exam. This comprises 3 x 30 minute oral assessments, each
marked independently by two examiners. One oral covers brain topics, one
covers spine topics and one covers both brain and spine topics.
The examination is conducted in English.
Retakes
Candidates who do not attain the standard required to pass the oral examination
may retake this section within the next 3 years without having to retake the
written section.
Peter Whitfield 2
Scope of the Examination
Basic Science
1. Knowledge of surgical anatomy relevant to the practice of neurological
surgery.
2. Knowledge of applied physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology of
neurosurgical diseases.
3. Knowledge of pathology of neurosurgical conditions.
4. Knowledge of statistics and epidemiology relevant to neurosurgical
practice.
5. Knowledge of the principles of imaging and radiotherapy techniques (eg x-
ray, ultrasound, CT, MRI, SPECT, PET, Functional MRI, interventional
radiology, stereotactic radiosurgery, radiotherapy techniques).
6. Applied knowledge of electro diagnostics.
7. Applied knowledge of operative equipment (eg endoscope, microscope,
neuronavigation, CUSA, iMRI)
8. Biomechanics relevant to neurosurgery.
Cranial and Spinal Neurosurgery

1. A wide knowledge of neurosurgical disease in both children and adults.
This includes congenital, genetic and acquired disorders.
2. Key topics include applied basic science (see below), trauma,
haemorrhage, hydrocephalus and CSF disorders, tumours, degenerative
disorders, inflammatory disorders, pain management, peripheral nerve
lesions, neurological diseases with surgical relevance, functional
neurosurgery, infection and seizures.
3. A sound knowledge of differential diagnosis formulation and physical
examination.
4. A thorough knowledge of investigative techniques used in neurosurgery.
5. A thorough knowledge of neurosurgical operative procedures and their
complications.
6. A thorough knowledge of peri-operative care, including critical care
management of patients with neurosurgical disease.
7. Evidence of capability at recognising important interfaces with other
specialities to assist with multidisciplinary care and shared decision-
making.
Peter Whitfield 3

Fellow of The European Board

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Fellow of The European Board

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Fellow of the European Board of Neurological Surgery

The primary aim of The European Board of Neurological Surgery (EBNS) is to

It is important that candidates recognise that some European countries have an

The Examination consists of TWO PARTS. Only candidates that have

The examination is conducted in English.

Cranial and Spinal Neurosurgery

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