Chitra Viswanathan, M.D.
Department of Abdominal Imaging, Division of Diagnostic Imaging
About Dr. Chitra Viswanathan
Dr. Chitra Viswanathan earned her undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from MIT in 1995 and went on to earn her medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX in 2000. She completed her Fellowship in Body Imaging at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in 2006 and subsequently was offered and accepted a position as Assistant Professor in the Division of Diagnostic Imaging.
Dr. Viswanathan's main clinical interest is thoracic imaging working across imaging modalities. She is active in numerous professional organizations and contributes significantly to the education, training, and mentoring of medical students, residents, and fellows that rotate through the Department of Diagnostic Radiology.
In her career as an academic radiologist, Dr. Viswanathan has collaboratively authored and/or co-authored over 35 peer-reviewed articles, two invited articles, one case report, eight published book chapters and several abstracts. Additionally, she has co-authored a book chapter on oncologic imaging which was published in 2011.
In September of 2012, she was promoted to Associate Professor and in September 2018, she was promoted to Professor.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Professor, Abdominal Imaging Department, Diagnostic Imaging Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Assistant Professor, Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Professor, Abdominal Imaging Department, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Assistant Professor, Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX
Licenses & Certifications
| 2005 | American Board of Radiology |
| 2002 | Texas Medical Board Physician's Permit |
Experience & Service
Other Professional Positions
Member, Peritoneal Conference Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2017 - Present
Member, Body Imaging Small Bowel Research Group, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2011 - Present
Member, Body Imaging Lymphoma/Leukemia Research Group, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2011 - Present
Member, Body Imaging Rectal Cancer Research Group, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2011 - Present
Member, Body Imaging Adrenal Cancer Research Group, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2011 - Present
Member, Body Imaging Appendiceal Cancer Research Group, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2011 - Present
Member, Body Imaging Informatics Research Group, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2011 - Present
Radiologist, Singleton Associates, Houston, TX, 2004 - 2005
Intramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Credentials Committee of the Medical Staff, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2012 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 2018 | Certificate of Merit, Educational Exhibit, TNM 8th edition in the staging of lung adenocarcinoma spectrum: what the radiologist needs to know, Radiological Society of North America |
| 2017 | Certificate of Merit, Digital Education Exhibit, Lessons from thoracic oncologic multidisciplinary conference: what the radiologist needs to know, Radiological Society of North America |
| 2017 | Certificate of Merit, Education Exhibit, The many faces of leukemia in the thorax, Radiological Society of North America |
| 2016 | Cum Laude, Poster Presentation, Tumor markers: myths and facts unfolded, Society of Abdominal Radiology |
| 2015 | Certificate of Merit, Education Exhibit, Tumor markers: myths and facts unfolded, Radiological Society of North America |
| 2015 | Certificate of Merit, Education Exhibit, Challenges in interpretation of staging PET / CT in thoracic malignancies, Radiological Society of North America |
| 2014 | Cum Laude, Poster Presentation, Pitfalls in the interpretation of PET/CT findings in the chest, Society of Thoracic Radiology |
| 2013 | Certificate of Merit, Education Exhibit, Changes in pelvic anatomy following pelvic exenteration, imaging findings pelvic exenteration for pelvic malignancies: a systematic review, Radiological Society of North America |
| 2013 | Cum Laude, Education Exhibit, Hemoptysis in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT): A single symptom, many mechanisms, Radiological Society of North America |
| 2013 | Cum Laude, Education Exhibit, Thoracic tumor ablation: review of anatomic considerations and adjunctive techniques, Radiological Society of North America |
| 2013 | Certificate of Merit, Education Exhibit Award, Pitfalls in the interpretation of PET/CT findings in the chest, The 3rd World Congress of Thoracic Imaging |
| 2012 | Certificate of Merit, Education Exhibit Award, Anatomy of pericardial recesses on CT: implications for oncologic imaging, Radiological Society of North America |
| 2012 | Magna Cum Laude, Scientific Exhibit, Update in the evaluation of solitary pulmonary nodule: solid and subsolid lesions, Radiological Society of North America |
| 2011 | I Am MD Anderson - Service Award, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2010 | Certificate of Merit, Radiological Society of North America |
| 2005 | Naresh Prasad Award for Academic Excellence in Physics, Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Radiology |
| 2003 | Honorary Medical Physicist, Baylor College of Medicine |
| 2003 | Introduction to Research, American Roentgen Ray Society |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
National Presentations
- 2025. Disability Inclusion: Navigating the Workplace. Invited. Society of Thoracic Radiology 2025. Huntington Beach, CA, US.
- 2018. Mapping the uncharted territory of low-grade ovarian cancer. Conference. 41st Society of Computed Body Tomography & Magnetic Resonance Annual Meeting. Washington, DC, US.
- 2018. Pitfalls in PET/CT interpretation. Invited. The Cancer Imaging and Intervention Conference. Houston, TX, US.
- 2016. Tumor markers: Myths and facts unfolded. Conference. Society of Abdominal Radiology. Waikoloa, HI, US.
- 2014. PET/CT in lung cancer. Invited. Society of Thoracic Radiology. San Antonio, TX, US.
- 2013. Complications of oncologic therapy in the abdomen. Invited. Abdominal Radiology Course. Maui, HI, US.
- 2012. Multimodality imaging of vulvar cancer: staging, therapeutic response, and complications. Conference. American Roentgen Ray Society Annual Meeting. Vancouver, BC, CA.
- 2012. Complications of oncologic therapy in the abdomen. Invited. Abdominal Radiology Course. Scottsdale, AZ, US.
- 2011. Complications of oncologic therapy in the abdomen. Invited. Abdominal Radiology Course. Carlsbad, CA, US.
- 2008. Ovarian cancer screening: Unveiling the corpus luteum and other actors. Conference. American Roentgen Ray Society Annual Meeting. Washington, DC, US.
- 2006. Multidetector CT depiction of radiological anatomy and diseases involving the transverse mesocolon. Conference. American Roentgen Ray Society Annual Meeting. Vancouver, BC, CA.
- 2006. Correlation of metabolic activity with histologic subtypes of cervical carcinoma. Conference. American Roentgen Ray Society Annual Meeting. Vancouver, BC, CA.
International Presentations
- 2018. TNM 8th edition in the staging of lung adenocarcinoma spectrum: what the radiologist needs to know. Conference. Proceedings of the 104th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, Radiological Society of North America. Chicago, US.
- 2017. Lessons from thoracic oncologic multidisciplinary conferences: what the radiologist needs to know. Conference. Proceedings of the 103rd Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, Radiological Society of North America. Chicago, US.
- 2017. The many faces of leukemia in the thorax. Conference. Proceedings of the 103rd Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, Radiological Society of North America. Chicago, US.
- 2016. Metastatic disease in the chest: Mechanisms of spread and potential pitfalls. Conference. Proceedings of the 102nd Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, Radiological Society of North America. Chicago, US.
- 2015. Tumor markers: Myths and facts unfolded. Conference. Proceedings of the 101st Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, Radiological Society of North America. Chicago, US.
- 2015. Challenges in interpretation of staging PET / CT in thoracic malignancies. Conference. Proceedings of the 101st Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, Radiological Society of North America. Chicago, US.
- 2015. Does CT imaging have the ability to identify the dedifferentiated component (DDLPS) in a retroperitoneal well differentiated liposarcoma (WDLPS)?. Conference. Proceedings of the 101st Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, Radiological Society of North America. Chicago, US.
- 2014. Pitfalls in pulmonary nodule characterization. Conference. Proceedings of the 100th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, Radiological Society of North America. Chicago, US.
- 2013. Thoracic tumor ablation: review of anatomic considerations and adjunctive techniques. Conference. 99th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America. Chicago, US.
- 2013. Acute aortic syndromes: review of pathophysiology, imaging characteristics, complications and treatment. Conference. 99th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America. Chicago, US.
- 2013. Hemoptysis in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT): A single symptom, many mechanisms. Conference. 99th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America. Chicago, US.
- 2013. Diaphragm-o-rama: a practical guide to diaphragmatic injury evaluation in blunt and penetrating trauma. Conference. 99th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America. Chicago, US.
- 2013. A radiology patient portal with personalized guidelines for non-small cell lung cancer. Conference. 99th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America. Chicago, US.
- 2013. Pathological lung segmentation in computed tomography (CT) images: current approaches, challenges, and future trends. Conference. 99th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America. Chicago, US.
- 2013. Changes in pelvic anatomy following pelvic exenteration, imaging findings pelvic exenteration for pelvic malignancies: A systematic review. Conference. 99th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America. Chicago, US.
- 2011. LL-CHE4611: The reversed halo sign: Update and differential diagnosis. Conference. 97th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting Radiological Society of North America. Chicago, US.
- 2011. LL-OBE2623: F18-FDG PET-CT in gynecologic malignancies: Evidence, pearls, and pitfalls. Conference. 97th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting Radiological Society of North America. Chicago, US.
- 2011. LL-CHE4629: Complications of oncologic therapy in the chest. Conference. 97th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting Radiological Society of North America. Chicago, US.
- 2010. Complications of oncologic therapy in the abdomen and pelvis. Conference. 96th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting Radiological Society of North America. Chicago, US.
- 2010. Imaging, staging evaluation, and treatment considerations for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Conference. 96th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting Radiological Society of North America. Chicago, US.
- 2006. The inguinal canal: Anatomy and imaging features of common and uncommon masses. Conference. 92nd Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting Radiological Society of North America. Chicago, US.
- 2001. Prenatal diagnosis of genital tract anomalies. Conference. European Society of Pediatric Radiology Annual Meeting. Paris, FR.
- 2000. Neuroimaging of ventricular shunt complications in children. Conference. 86th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting Radiology Society of North America. Chicago, US.
Formal Peers
- 2015. When the doctor becomes the patient. Invited. Houston, TX, US.
Selected Publications
Professional Educational Materials
- Viswanathan C. Case review teaching database on thymic malignancies. International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group (ITMIG).
Abstracts
- Bhosale P, Viswanathan C. Complications of oncologic imaging in the abdomen. Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Society of Abdominal Radiology, 2013. e-Pub 2013.
- Ranjikant R, Gandhi NS, Shrikanthan S, Vikram R, Viswanathan C, Huang SS, Shah SN. Urogynecologic PET/CT: current roles and updates. 98th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, 2012. e-Pub 2012.
- Boonsirikamchai P, Viswanathan C, Godoy MC, Munden RF, Marom EM, Truong MT. Anatomy of pericardial recesses on CT: implications for oncologic imaging. 98th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, 2012. e-Pub 2012.
- Rossi SE, Ko JP, Rossi I, Viswanathan C, Truong MT, Erasmus JJ. Update in the evaluation of the solitary pulmonary nodule: solid and subsolid lesions. 98th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, 2012. e-Pub 2012.
- Godoy MCB, Viswanathan C, Truong MTM, Marchiori E, Benveniste MK, Marom EM, Rossi SE. The reversed halo sign: update and differential diagnosis. 97th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, 2011. e-Pub 2011.
- Viswanathan C, Vikram R, Devine CE, Balachandran A, Bronstein Y, Bhosale PR. F18-FDG PET CT in gynecologic malignancies: evidence, pearls, and pitfalls. 97th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, 2011. e-Pub 2011.
- Viswanathan C, Truong MTM, Godoy MCN, Munden RF, Erasmus JJ, Marom EM. Complications of oncologic therapy in the chest. 97th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting Radiological Society of North America, 2011. e-Pub 2011.
- Viswanathan C, Truong MT, Sagebiel TL, Bhosale PR, Patnana M. Complications of oncologic therapy in the abdomen and pelvis. 96th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, 2010. e-Pub 2010.
- Truong MT, Viswanathan C, Godoy MC, Benveniste MK, Gladish GW, and Marom EM. Imaging, staging evaluation, and treatment considerations for malignant pleural mesothelioma. 96th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, 2010. e-Pub 2010.
- Bedi D, Patnana M, Gonzalez-de Luna MA, Viswanathan C, Bhosale P, Ernst R, Bronstein Y, Balachandran A, LePetross C, Devine C, Marcal LP, Parulekar S, Vikram R, Lem KW. Ovarian cancer screening: corpus luteum and other actors—how to sort them out. American Roentgen Ray Society Annual Meeting 190(4 Suppl):A128-A141, 2008. e-Pub 2008.
- Bhosale P, Patnana M, Viswanathan C, Szklaruk J. The inguinal canal: anatomy and imaging features of common and uncommon masses. 92nd Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, 2006. e-Pub 2006.
- Viswanathan C. Neuroimaging of ventricular shunt complications in children. 86th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, 2000. e-Pub 2000.
Book Chapters
- Viswanathan C, Duran C. Principles of body imaging in cancer. In: Cancer Rehabilitation: Principles and Practice. 3rd. Springer Publishing Company, Incorporated, 89-98, 2025.
- Viswanathan C, Ganeshan D, Iyer RB. Complications in the oncologic patient: Abdomen and pelvis. In: Oncologic Imaging: A Multidisciplinary Approach. 2nd. Elsevier, 692-703, 2022.
- Ganeshan D, Viswanathan C, Sagebiel T. Primary adrenal malignancy. In: Oncologic Imaging: A Multidisciplinary Approach. 2nd. Elsevier, 352-369, 2022.
- Viswanathan C, Duran C. Principles of body imaging in cancer. In: Cancer rehabilitation: principles and practice. 2nd. Springer Publishing Company, 110-122, 2018.
- Ballester-Ortiz G, Marcal LP, Viswanathan C, Szklaruk J. Computer tomography. In: Biliary Tract and Gallbladder Cancer: A Multidisciplinary Approach. 2nd. Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 167-200, 2014.
- Sagebiel T, Viswanathan C. Primary adrenal malignancy. In: Oncologic Imaging: A Multidisciplinary Approach. 1st. Elsevier, 359-376, 2012.
- Viswanathan C, Iyer RB. Complications in the oncologic patient: Abdomen and pelvis. In: Oncologic Imaging: A Multidisciplinary Approach. 1st. Elsevier, 693-705, 2012.
- Viswanathan C, Truong MT. CT scans: Brain, chest, abdomen, and pelvis. In: Cardiothoracic Surgery Review. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 893-895, 2011.
- Marcal LP, Viswanathan C, Szklaruk J. Computed tomography. In: Biliary Tract and Gallbladder Cancer: Diagnosis & Therapy. Demos Medical Publishing, 141-168, 2008.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified July 22, 2026