100+ Free Facharzt FMH Neurochirurgie Practice Questions
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Key Facts: Facharzt FMH Neurochirurgie Exam
EANS + SGNC
Exam Format
SIWF / SGNC Examination Regulations
150
Written EANS MCQs
EANS Examination Board
6 Years
Postgraduate Training
SIWF Weiterbildungsprogramm
180 min
Written Exam Duration
EANS Examination Committee
Lifetime
FMH Title Validity
Swiss Medical Association (FMH)
100
Practice Questions
OpenExamPrep
The Facharzt FMH Neurochirurgie credential certifies specialist neurosurgeons in Switzerland through SIWF and SGNC. Certification requires 6 years of accredited training, passing the written European EANS Part 1 Examination (150 MCQs in English), and passing the SGNC Swiss oral board examination across cranial, spinal, vascular, traumatic, pediatric, and functional neurosurgery.
Sample Facharzt FMH Neurochirurgie Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your Facharzt FMH Neurochirurgie exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1A 54-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with a sudden-onset thunderclap headache, transient loss of consciousness, and meningism. Non-contrast cranial CT reveals extensive subarachnoid hemorrhage in the basal cisterns with acute ventriculomegaly (Hunt & Hess Grade 3, modified Fisher Grade 3). CT angiography demonstrates a 6 mm saccular anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysm. Her GCS score declines from 13 to 10 in the resuscitation bay with increasing somnolence. What is the most appropriate immediate sequence of interventions?
2A 49-year-old man who underwent successful endovascular coiling of a ruptured right middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysm develops new left-sided hemiparesis and pronator drift on post-bleed day 7. His blood pressure is 118/72 mmHg and heart rate is 68 bpm. Daily transcranial Doppler (TCD) shows right MCA mean flow velocities increased from 110 cm/s to 215 cm/s (Lindegaard ratio 4.8). CT angiography confirms focal severe vasospasm of the right M1 segment without intracranial rebleeding or infarction. According to current European guidelines for Delayed Cerebral Ischemia (DCI), what is the first-line therapeutic management?
3A 48-year-old previously healthy woman is found on MRI/MRA to have an incidental, unruptured 7 mm saccular aneurysm of the right middle cerebral artery (MCA) bifurcation. High-resolution catheter angiography reveals a wide neck (dome-to-neck ratio 1.1) with both dominant M2 cortical branches arising directly from the aneurysm base. She has no family history of aneurysms. What is the most appropriate definitive management recommendation?
4A 56-year-old man presents with an acute, severe retro-orbital headache, ipsilateral ptosis, a dilated and non-reactive pupil, and an eye positioned 'down and out'. Emergent diagnostic workup demonstrates a 9 mm saccular aneurysm originating at the junction of the internal carotid artery and posterior communicating artery (ICA-PCoA). What is the primary pathophysiological mechanism of the cranial nerve deficit, and what is the urgency of intervention?
5A 58-year-old woman is admitted with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (WFNS Grade 1, Fisher Grade 2). Cerebral angiography reveals a 6 mm saccular basilar apex (bifurcation) aneurysm with a narrow neck pointing superiorly. The posterior cerebral arteries (P1 segments) originate cleanly below the aneurysm neck. Based on landmark randomized evidence from the International Subarachnoid Aneurysm Trial (ISAT) and posterior circulation anatomy, what is the preferred initial treatment modality?
6A 42-year-old man presents with acute SAH. Cerebral catheter angiography demonstrates a 3 mm blister-like aneurysm arising from the non-branching dorsal wall of the supraclinoid internal carotid artery (ICA). Which histological and morphological characteristic best explains the high surgical friability of this lesion, and what is a widely accepted modern reconstruction strategy?
7A 31-year-old male teacher experiences a new-onset generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Brain MRI reveals a 2.5 cm cortical arteriovenous malformation (AVM) located in the right non-dominant superior parietal lobule. Catheter angiography demonstrates arterial feeders from the right middle cerebral artery and drainage exclusively via a single superficial cortical vein into the superior sagittal sinus. The surrounding brain parenchyma is non-eloquent. What is the Spetzler-Martin grade of this AVM, and what is the recommended treatment?
8A 52-year-old accountant with no prior history of intracranial hemorrhage or focal neurological deficit is evaluated for chronic tension-type headaches. MRI and cerebral angiography identify an unruptured 4.5 cm arteriovenous malformation in the left dominant precentral gyrus (motor cortex) with deep venous drainage to the internal cerebral veins (Spetzler-Martin Grade IV). In light of the ARUBA (A Randomized Trial of Unruptured Brain Arteriovenous Malformations) trial and international consensus, what is the best management strategy?
9A 63-year-old woman presents with pulsatile tinnitus, progressive cognitive decline, and headache. DSA reveals a dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF) of the left transverse-sigmoid sinus with direct retrograde cortical venous reflux and venous ectasia (Cognard Type IV / Borden Type III). What is the annual risk of intracranial hemorrhage associated with this lesion, and what is the definitive therapeutic approach?
10A 38-year-old man presents with progressive right-sided facial numbness, horizontal diplopia (CN VI palsy), and left hemiparesis following an episode of acute pontine hemorrhage. Brain MRI shows a 1.8 cm cavernous malformation ('popcorn' appearance with a complete hemosiderin ring on T2/SWI) located in the dorsal pons, abutting and reaching the ependymal floor of the fourth ventricle (rhomboid fossa) superior to the facial colliculus. This represents his second clinically symptomatic bleed in 6 months. What is the most appropriate surgical management?
About the Facharzt FMH Neurochirurgie Exam
The Facharzt FMH für Neurochirurgie (Specialist in Neurosurgery FMH) is the Swiss Federal specialist title granting full independent practice rights in neurological surgery throughout Switzerland. Administered under the auspices of SIWF (Swiss Institute for Postgraduate and Continuous Medical Training) and SGNC (Swiss Society of Neurosurgery), board certification requires completing 6 years of accredited residency training, maintaining a verified surgical e-Logbook, passing the written European Board Examination in Neurological Surgery (EANS Part 1) in English, and passing the SGNC oral board examination. The syllabus covers cranial neuro-oncology (gliomas, meningiomas, acoustic neuromas, pituitary adenomas, metastases, skull base lesions), neurovascular surgery (aneurysms, AVMs, dAVFs, cavernomas, ischemic stroke revascularization, intracerebral hemorrhage), spinal surgery (cervical and lumbar degenerative disc disease, myelopathy, spinal trauma, spinal cord injury, spinal tumors, spinal deformity), neurotrauma and neurointensive care (TBI, epidural and subdural hematomas, Brain Trauma Foundation ICP/CPP guidelines, multimodal neuromonitoring), pediatric neurosurgery (craniosynostosis, hydrocephalus, myelomeningocele, Chiari malformation, pediatric neoplasms), and functional neurosurgery (deep brain stimulation, epilepsy surgery, trigeminal neuralgia microvascular decompression, peripheral nerve decompression and repair). Note on format and language: While the official written EANS Part 1 examination is delivered entirely in English across Europe, and the SGNC oral examination is conducted in Swiss national languages (German/French) or English, this question bank is an English-language multiple-choice study adaptation developed by OpenExamPrep—not an official EANS/SGNC examination release—engineered to test high-yield surgical decision-making, clinical neuroanatomy, landmark clinical trials, and evidence-based neurosurgical guidelines.
Assessment
Two-stage qualification: 1) The written EANS Part 1 examination comprising 150 multiple-choice questions across two papers (Paper A: Basic neurosciences, neuroanatomy, neuroradiology, neurotrauma/critical care, neurology; Paper B: Neuro-oncology, neurovascular, spine, hydrocephalus, infection, functional, peripheral nerve), and 2) The SGNC oral board examination consisting of interactive clinical case scenarios before the Commission for Postgraduate Training (KWFTP).
Time Limit
180 minutes written examination (Paper A 90 min, Paper B 90 min) plus structured oral examination
Passing Score
Psychometrically standard criterion-referenced pass mark on the written EANS Part 1 MCQ examination and consensus pass evaluation on the SGNC oral clinical board
Exam Fee
EANS Part 1 Examination fee ~EUR 400–600; SGNC Oral Examination fee CHF 2,000; SIWF FMH Title Application fee CHF 1,000–2,500 (Schweizerisches Institut für ärztliche Weiter- und Fortbildung (SIWF / FMH) and Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie (SGNC) in partnership with the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS))
Facharzt FMH Neurochirurgie Exam Content Outline
Neuro-Oncology & Skull Base Surgery
Classification and multimodality management of intra-axial and extra-axial intracranial neoplasms (WHO 2021 CNS classification: IDH-mutant/wildtype gliomas, 1p/19q co-deletion, meningiomas, vestibular schwannomas, pituitary adenomas, brain metastases, craniopharyngiomas), surgical approaches, intraoperative neuromonitoring, awake mapping, fluorescence guidance (5-ALA), and adjuvant radiotherapy/chemotherapy protocols (Stupp regimen).
Neurovascular Surgery & Interventional Concepts
Diagnosis, microsurgical clipping, endovascular coiling, and flow diversion of intracranial aneurysms (Hunt & Hess, Fisher, WFNS), acute management of subarachnoid hemorrhage, delayed cerebral ischemia and vasospasm, arteriovenous malformations (Spetzler-Martin classification, ARUBA trial), dural arteriovenous fistulas (Cognard/Borden), cavernous malformations (Zabramski), spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH score, STICH/ENRICH/MISTIE trials), and revascularization/decompressive hemicraniectomy in acute stroke (DECIMAL, DESTINY, HAMLET, DAWN).
Spine & Spinal Cord Disorders
Pathology, biomechanics, conservative, and surgical management of degenerative cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine disorders (ACDF, cervical arthroplasty, laminoplasty, lumbar microdiscectomy, decompression/fusion for spondylolisthesis), spinal trauma and fractures (AO Spine, TLICS, SLIC, Anderson-D'Alonzo odontoid classification), spinal cord injury (ASIA impairment scale, STASCIS trial, hemodynamic targets), intradural and extradural spinal tumors (SINS score, Patchell trial, schwannomas, meningiomas, ependymomas), adult spinal deformity, and spinal vascular malformations.
Neurotrauma & Neurocritical Care
Acute management of traumatic brain injury (TBI: GCS, pupillary reactivity, Marshall/Rotterdam CT scores), intracranial mass lesions (epidural hematoma, acute and chronic subdural hematoma, middle meningeal artery embolization), Brain Trauma Foundation (BTF) guidelines for tiered ICP and CPP management (osmolar therapy, moderate hyperventilation, CSF diversion, neuromuscular blockade, barbiturates, decompressive craniectomy [RESCUEicp, DECRA]), multimodal neuromonitoring (PbtO2, microdialysis), and neuro-intensive care complications.
Pediatric Neurosurgery & Hydrocephalus
Pathophysiology and management of hydrocephalus (VP shunt, endoscopic third ventriculostomy ETV with choroid plexus coagulation CPC, ETV Success Score), craniosynostosis (sagittal, coronal, metopic, lambdoid, syndromic FGFR mutations), neural tube defects and spinal dysraphism (open myelomeningocele MOMS trial, tethered cord syndrome), Chiari malformations and syringomyelia, pediatric intracranial tumors (pilocytic astrocytoma, medulloblastoma molecular subgroups, ependymoma, craniopharyngioma, DIPG), and pediatric trauma.
Functional Neurosurgery, Epilepsy, Pain & Peripheral Nerves
Indications, anatomical targeting, and surgical techniques for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS: STN, GPi, VIM for Parkinson's disease, dystonia, essential tremor), surgical treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy (anterior temporal lobectomy, selective amygdalohippocampectomy, stereoelectroencephalography SEEG, callosotomy, hemispherotomy), microvascular decompression (MVD: Jannetta procedure) and percutaneous techniques for trigeminal and glossopharyngeal neuralgia, peripheral nerve compression syndromes (carpal tunnel, cubital tunnel, peroneal nerve), and nerve injury classifications (Seddon, Sunderland).
How to Pass the Facharzt FMH Neurochirurgie Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Psychometrically standard criterion-referenced pass mark on the written EANS Part 1 MCQ examination and consensus pass evaluation on the SGNC oral clinical board
- Assessment: Two-stage qualification: 1) The written EANS Part 1 examination comprising 150 multiple-choice questions across two papers (Paper A: Basic neurosciences, neuroanatomy, neuroradiology, neurotrauma/critical care, neurology; Paper B: Neuro-oncology, neurovascular, spine, hydrocephalus, infection, functional, peripheral nerve), and 2) The SGNC oral board examination consisting of interactive clinical case scenarios before the Commission for Postgraduate Training (KWFTP).
- Time limit: 180 minutes written examination (Paper A 90 min, Paper B 90 min) plus structured oral examination
- Exam fee: EANS Part 1 Examination fee ~EUR 400–600; SGNC Oral Examination fee CHF 2,000; SIWF FMH Title Application fee CHF 1,000–2,500
Keys to Passing
- Work through all 100 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
Facharzt FMH Neurochirurgie Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Facharzt FMH für Neurochirurgie specialist title?
The Facharzt FMH für Neurochirurgie is the federally accredited medical specialist title in neurological surgery in Switzerland, granted by SIWF/FMH upon completing at least 6 years of certified postgraduate neurosurgical residency training, maintaining an approved surgical logbook, and successfully passing both the written European EANS Part 1 examination and the Swiss SGNC oral board examination.
How is the Swiss Neurosurgery specialist examination structured?
The examination is divided into two distinct components: 1) The written European Board Examination in Neurological Surgery (EANS Part 1), consisting of 150 multiple-choice questions in English across two papers covering basic neurosciences, neuroanatomy, trauma, vascular, oncology, spine, pediatric, and functional neurosurgery; and 2) The SGNC oral board examination, conducted in Switzerland (Bern), featuring an interactive case-based oral discussion of clinical cases before senior Swiss neurosurgical examiners.
When can candidates sit the EANS Part 1 and SGNC oral examinations?
Trainees typically take the written EANS Part 1 examination in their 4th to 6th year of neurosurgical residency. Passing EANS Part 1 is a mandatory prerequisite for admission to the SGNC oral examination, which is held biannually (spring and autumn) at Inselspital Bern.
What are the core clinical trials and classifications tested on the board?
Key clinical trials include the Stupp protocol (glioblastoma chemoradiation), ISAT (aneurysm coiling vs clipping), ARUBA (unruptured AVMs), STICH/ENRICH/MISTIE (intracerebral hemorrhage surgery), STASCIS (early spinal cord decompression), RESCUEicp and DECRA (decompressive craniectomy in TBI), and the MOMS trial (fetal myelomeningocele repair). Essential classifications include WHO 2021 CNS tumors, Spetzler-Martin AVM, Koos vestibular schwannoma, Hunt-Hess/Fisher SAH, AO Spine and TLICS, ASIA impairment scale, and ETV Success Score.
Why is this practice question bank provided in English?
The official written European Board Examination in Neurological Surgery (EANS Part 1), which is adopted by the SGNC and SIWF as the mandatory written component of the Swiss specialist qualification, is administered entirely in English across Europe. This question bank reflects this official format, testing clinical terminology and evidence-based standards in English.
What are the emergency neurosurgical thresholds in traumatic brain injury?
According to Brain Trauma Foundation guidelines, emergent surgical evacuation is indicated for acute epidural hematomas >30 cm³ (regardless of GCS) or with thickness >15 mm/midline shift >5 mm; acute subdural hematomas with thickness >10 mm or midline shift >5 mm; and open depressed skull fractures deeper than the inner table or with underlying hematoma/dural tear.