Avneesh Chhabra, M.D.

Avneesh Chhabra, M.D., is an Associate Professor of Radiology at UT Southwestern Medical Center and Chief of its Musculoskeletal Radiology Division. He also serves as Chief of Musculoskeletal Imaging at Parkland Hospital. His clinical interests include magnetic resonance neurography (MRN), sports imaging, rheumatology and sarcoma imaging, and related image-guided interventions.

Originally from India, Dr. Chhabra earned his Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree at Maulana Azad Medical College in New Delhi. He completed his residency in radiology at Delhi University’s Willington Hospital before receiving additional diagnostic residency training at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia. He received advanced training in musculoskeletal radiology through a fellowship at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia.

Prior to joining the UT Southwestern faculty in 2013, Dr. Chhabra was an Assistant Professor of Radiology and Orthopedic Surgery at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, where he facilitated the MRN program and introduced novel technical developments, such as three-dimensional (3-D) isotropic MRN with nerve selective reconstructions and advanced diffusion imaging in the realm of peripheral nerve imaging and treatment employing multidisciplinary approaches. While at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Chhabra benefited from the mentorship of John A. Carrino, M.D., M.P.H., and John Eng, M.D.

Research interests

Dr. Chhabra focuses his research on refining musculoskeletal ultrasound, computed tomography and MR practices; and the novel use of 3-D and 4-D joint imaging in sports imaging, MR neurography, sarcoma imaging, and rheumatology imaging. He is working on new forms of image-guided pain management, including minimally invasive image-guided injections. He is currently investigating the impact of MRN in management of pre-surgical patients with peripheral neuropathy, lumbosacral and brachial plexopathy; the value of MRN of lumbosacral plexus versus non-contributory lumbar spine MRI in radiculopathy; the role of whole body MR in neuropathies; and outcomes of image-guided pain injections.

Dr. Chhabra translates his research into clinical practice by deploying novel MRN techniques to map peripheral neuropathy in patients preparing for surgery, and to direct perineural nerve injections in patients with neuropathies.

Global impact

Dr. Chhabra serves as a committee member on national and international societies including the Publications Committee of the International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM), and Scientific Review committees of the American Roentgen Ray Society and the Association of University Radiologists. He is also active in the International Skeletal Society, the Society of Skeletal Radiology, the American College of Radiology, and the Indian Radiological and Imaging Association. 

Dr. Chhabra is frequently invited to lecture nationally and internationally at conferences and venues throughout the United States and around the world, including presenting the keynote address to the American Roentgen Ray Society and the Radiological Society of North America, and the Tummala Madhusudana Rao Endowment Oration to the Asian Musculoskeletal Society. He regularly teaches radiologists in India and China via the Internet.

He has authored nearly 200 peer-reviewed publications, two textbooks and 27 book chapters. Dr. Chhabra is a reviewer for scientific journals, and is on the editorial boards of The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery, European Radiology, and BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders.

His dedication to the community is demonstrated by his commitment to volunteerism, ranging from judging professional conference events to local science fairs.

Personal note

Dr. Chhabra’s longtime passion for cricket and tennis includes playing the games. He also enjoys watching basketball and football, traveling to different parts of the world, and cooking traditional Indian food.