A team of dedicated AANS neurosurgeons, nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) developed a series of online courses to provide comprehensive training for advanced practitioners involved in neurosurgical practices. This online course covers foundational knowledge and skills needed during the onboarding phase, particularly for advanced practitioners who are new to the neurosurgical specialty, to teach and/or reinforce key concepts.

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

How to Read Plane X-rays

1. Identify normal spinal alignment on plane xray both static and flexing
2. Recognize spondylothisthesis and pars fracture

How to read a cervical MRI

1. Identify bones, disk, cord, and nerves on cervical MRI
2. Differentiate disk herniation, ligament hypertropy, and cord compression on a cervical MRI

How to Interpret Lumbar Imaging

1. Identify bones, disks, and nerves on a lumbar MRI
2. Differentiate disk herniation, canal stenosis, ligament hypertropy, and spondylothisthesis on lumbar MRI

Introduction to Neuroimaging: Spine

1. Review the normal radiologic anatomy of the spine on radiograph, CT, and MRI
2. Discuss the strengths and differences of each modality for common pathologies

Introduction To Neuroimaging: Cranial

1. Review computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain
2. Discuss the strengths and differences of each modality for common pathologies