Avneesh Chhabra, M.D., M.B.A.

Avneesh Chhabra, M.D., M.B.A.

Chief, Musculoskeletal Radiology, UTSW | Medical Director of Musculoskeletal Radiology, Parkland Health & Hospital System | Director, Musculoskeletal Radiology Fellowship Program

  • Radiology - Musculoskeletal
  • Musculoskeletal Disorders
  • Diagnostic Radiology

Biography

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

Originally from India, Dr. Chhabra earned his Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.B.S.) degree at Maulana Azad Medical College in New Delhi. He completed his radiology residency training at Delhi University’s Willington Hospital before receiving additional diagnostic radiology residency training at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia. He then received advanced training in musculoskeletal radiology through a fellowship program at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia. In 2021, Dr. Chhabra earned an Executive M.B.A. in healthcare leadership and management from the University of Texas at Dallas.

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.

Research interests

Dr. Chhabra focuses his research on refining musculoskeletal ultrasound, computed tomography and MRI practices; and the novel use of 3D MRI and 3D CT joint imaging in sports medicine, MR neurography, and multiparametric sarcoma imaging, infection, whole-body MRI and rheumatology imaging. He is working on new forms of image-guided pain management, including minimally invasive image-guided injections.

Dr. Chhabra is actively involved in 3D MRI and 3D CT research on adult painful hip disorders, functional bone and soft tissue tumor assessment, Shoulder MRI research for rotatory cuff and labral injuries, and 3D knee MRI research with respect to meniscus and cruciate ligament injuries.

New approaches to patient care

Dr. Chhabra provides patient care at the University Hospital Radiology Clinic, where he translates his research into clinical practices by deploying novel MRN techniques to map peripheral neuropathy in patients preparing for surgery, and to direct perineural nerve injections in patients with neuropathies. His technical developments with respect to 3D MRI and 3D CT imaging for multiple joints, such as knee, hip and shoulder, are also being rapidly translated into the clinical practices for the improved diagnosis of meniscus, labrum, tendon, and rotator cuff injuries, bone and soft tissue sarcoma, morphea, and axial spondyloarthritis. He also published OT-RADS, NS-RADS, ST-RADS, and white paper guidelines for tumor, neuropathy, and infection related management, and follow-up strategies using MRI and is engaged in other national-level guideline documents in collaboration with American College of Radiology.

Global impact

Dr. Chhabra serves as a committee member for numerous national and international professional organizations, including several scientific and finance committees, study sections, as well as the Diversity and Inclusion committee. He is also an active member of the International Skeletal Society, Society of Skeletal Radiology (SSR), Indian Radiological and Imaging Association, American College of Radiology, and the Texas Radiological Society, where he serves as a counselor.

Teaching and lecturing

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 addresses to the American Roentgen Ray Society, Radiological Society of North America, Ontario Association of Radiologists and musculoskeletal radiology societies in China, South Korea, South America, and the Arabian Gulf. He has also presented the Tummala Madhusudana Rao Endowment Oration to the Asian Musculoskeletal Society.

Dr. Chhabra has received many scholarly awards, including the Young Investigator Award from the SSR, the GE Radiology Research Academic Fellowship (GERRAF) award from the Association of University Radiologists, the William M.G. Gatewood M.D. Fellowship Award from Johns Hopkins University, and the Stephen B. Milam Research Award from the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation.

The author of more than 320 peer-reviewed publications, two textbooks, and 33 book chapters, Dr. Chhabra is on the editorial boards as Associate Editor and Deputy Editor of The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery, European Radiology, Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography, 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, and organizing medical camps and cultural events.

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.

Education & Training
  • Medical School - Delhi University/Maulana Azad Medical College (1990-1996)
  • Other Post Graduate Training - University of Texas at Dallas (2019-2021)
  • Residency - Willington Hospital-Delhi University, Radiology
  • Fellowship - Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute (1999-2002), Onco-radiology
  • Internship - Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center (2002-2003), Internal Medicine
  • Residency - Drexel University College of Medicine (2003-2007), Diagnostic Radiology
  • Fellowship - Temple University Dept. of Radiology (2007-2008), Musculoskeletal Radiology
Professional Associations & Affiliations
  • ACR-RADS (2022), Chair - MSK soft tissue tumors
  • University of Texas at Dallas (2021), Adjunct Faculty of Radiology
  • Walton Centre of Neurosciences (2018), Adjunct Faculty of Radiology
  • Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (2013), Adjunct Faculty of Radiology and Orthopedic Surgery
  • American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS)
  • American University Radiologists (AUR)
  • Indian Radiological Society
  • International Skeletal Society
  • International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM)
  • National Magnetic Resonance Society
  • Radiological society of North America (RSNA)
  • Society of Computed Body Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Society of Skeletal Radiology
  • Texas Radiological Society
Honors & Awards
  • D Magazine Best Doctor 2022
  • Keynote Speaker 2022, American Roentgen Ray Society
  • Best Paper Award 2022, American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
  • D Magazine Best Doctor 2021
  • Best Article Representing ISAKOS 2021, International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery & Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
  • Certificate of Appreciation 2021, Indian Radiological and Imaging Association
  • Honor of Appreciation - Cafe Roentgen Webinar 2020, Radiology Education Foundation of Mumbai
  • Mentor Recognition Award 2020, International Skeletal Society
  • Stephen B. Milan Award 2020, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation
  • Cum Laude Award 2019, Radiological Society of North America
  • Best Poster 2018, European Society of Skeletal Radiology
  • Certificate of Merit 2017, Radiological Society of North America
  • Keynote Speaker 2017, Ontario Association of Radiologists
  • Keynote Speaker 2017, International Skeletal Society/Chinese Musculoskeletal Society
  • Keynote Speaker 2016, Radiological Society of North America
  • Diner Memorial Lecture in Radiology 2015, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
  • Keynote Speaker 2015, American Roentgen Ray Society
  • Marquis Who's Who 2015, Platinum Edition
  • Tummula Endowment Oration 2015, Asian Musculoskeletal Society
  • Certificate of Merit 2014, Radiological Society of North America
  • Certificate of Merit, Educational Exhibit 2012, Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe
  • Certificate of Merit, Educational Exhibit 2012, Radiological Society of North America
  • Gatewood Fellowship Award 2012, Johns Hopkins University
  • First Place, Scientific Paper 2011, European Society of Radiology
  • First Place, Scientific Paper 2011, Association of University Radiologists
  • Trainee Research Prize 2011, Radiological Society of North America
  • Young Investigator Award 2011, Society of Skeletal Radiology
  • GE-AUR Radiology Research Academic Fellowship (GERRAF) 2010-2012, General Electric/Association of University Radiologists
  • Second Prize, Scientific Exhibit 2006, Pennsylvania Radiological Society
  • Certificate of Merit 2005, Radiological Society of North America
  • First Prize, Scientific Exhibit 2005, Pennsylvania Radiological Society
  • Certificate of Merit 2004, Radiological Society of North America
  • First Prize, Scientific Exhibit 2004, Pennsylvania Radiological Society
  • Outstanding Academic Achievement Awards for Four Consecutive Years 2004-2007, Drexel University
Books & Publications
Research
  • Sports Imaging, Sarcoma imaging, MR Neurography, Rheumatology and Whole body MR imaging, Image guided injections and biopsies

Clinical Focus

  • Musculoskeletal Disorders
  • Diagnostic Radiology

See More