Thinh Vu, M.D.
Department of Neuroradiology, Division of Diagnostic Imaging
About Dr. Vu
Following completion of a neuroradiololgy fellowship at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dr. Thinh Vu’s contributions have been both clinical and academic since he joined the Division of Diagnostic Imaging at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in July 2007.When Dr. Vu joined the faculty in neuroradiology, there was a gap in expertise in diagnostic imaging of the parathyroid gland while simultaneously the number of cases was increasing. He accepted the challenge of learning to interpret the 4D CT imaging of the parathyroid that had been originated and refined at MDACC. In addition, he continued to improve the technique and use it to determine the location of the abnormal parathyroid gland in complicated cases with failed surgeries at outside hospitals. As the endocrine and surgical parathyroid services increased, so did his knowledge and reputation. Dr. Vu is an integral part of MDACC multidisciplinary team that cares for patient with parathyroid disease. His expertise is in neurointervenional ultrasound (NIRUS). He routinely supports the surgeons in the operating room, one of the most difficult areas where radiologists are called upon to serve. His excellence in performing the most difficult biopsies is recognized by the fact that he routinely cares for pediatric patients. Biopsies of the soft tissues of the neck in these patients are particularly difficult. Dr. Vu has been invited to speak at all levels of training. As a researcher, he has been a collaborator on many projects with colleagues from other specialties.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Professor, Neuroradiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Research Interests
- Evaluating localization of parathyroid adenomas by 4DCT and combination of SPECT-CT and 4DCT
- Ultrasound diagnosis of intrathyroiddal parathyroid adenomas
- Intraoperative ultrasound biopsy in the head and neck cancer patients
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2001 | Texas A&M University Health Science Center, College Station, Texas, US, MD |
| 1997 | The University of Texas, Austin, Texas, US, BA in Biology |
Postgraduate Training
| 2006-2007 | Clinical Fellowship, Department of Radiology, Neuroradiology, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, Texas |
| 2002-2006 | Clinical Residency, Diagnostic Radiology, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, New York |
| 2001-2002 | Clinical Internship, Internal Medicine, Maricopa Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2011 | American Board of Radiology |
| 2006 | American Board of Radiology |
| 2006 | Texas Medical Board |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Associate Professor, Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2013 - 2019
Assistant Professor, Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2007 - 2013
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Chief Resident, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, NY, 2004 - 2005
Extramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, American Society of Head and Neck Radiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2024 - 2025
Member, Minimally Invasive and New Technology in Oncologic Surgery (MINTOS), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2016
Editorial Activities
Member of Editorial Review Board, Radiology-TEACHES, 2020 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 1997 | Dean's List, The University of Texas, Austin |
| 1997 | Phi Beta Kappa |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
National Presentations
- 2026. PC-4D-CT: A novel imaging modality for recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism. Poster. American Association of Endocrine Surgeons Annual Meeting. Lexington, Kentucky, US.
- 2025. Ultrasound-Based Risk Scoring System for Distinguishing Melanoma Metastasis in Cervical Lymph Nodes. Poster. American Society of Head & Neck Radiology 59th Annual Meeting. Las Vegas, Nevada, US.
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 1998 |
| Title: | Studied biomolecular dynamics of cardiac muscle contraction in real time using surface plasmon resonance |
| Funding Source: | Texas A&M System Health Science Center |
| Role: | Medical Student |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Alizada S, Al Qudah H, Vu T, Stewart J, Shah K, Debnam JM, Sahu S, Salim HA, Msherghi A, Maniakas A, Zafereo ME, Goepfert RP, Wintermark M, Ahmed S. Ultrasound imaging features of cervical lymph nodes with melanoma metastasis compared with benign cervical nodes. Melanoma Res, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 42166628.
- Alizada S, Al Qudah H, Debnam M, Msherghi A, Salim H, Williams M, Wintermark M, Vu T. Multimodal Imaging and Clinicopathologic Features of Parathyroid Lipoadenoma. American Journal of Neuroradiology 47(2):430-436, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40876948.
- Abts T, Vu T, Perrier N, Wang Y, Ning J, Debnam M. Detection Rate and Concordance of 4D-MDCT, US, and Tc99m MIBI Imaging in the Detection of Ectopic and Intrathyroidal Parathyroid Adenomas. World Journal of Surgery 49(4):957-963, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 39988640.
- Zhao X, Wang JR, Dadu R, Busaidy N, Xu L, Learned K, Chasen NN, Vu T, Maniakas A, Eguia A, Diersing J, Gross ND, Goepfert RP, Lai SY, Hofmann MC, Ferrarotto R, Lu C, Gunn B, Spiotto M, Subbiah V, Williams MD, Cabanillas M, Zafereo ME. Surgery after BRAF-directed therapy is associated with improved survival in BRAF V600E mutant Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer. Thyroid 33(4):484-491, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36762947.
- Perrier N, Lang BH, Farias LCB, Poch LL, Sywak M, Almquist M, Vriens MR, Yeh MW, Shariq O, Duh QY, Yeh R, Vu T, LiVolsi V, Sitges-Serra A. Surgical Aspects of Primary Hyperparathyroidism. J Bone Miner Res 37(11):2373-2390, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36054175.
- Debnam JM, Chi TL, Kwon M, Sun J, Schellingerhout D, Golant BT, Ahmed S, Perrier ND, Vu T. Distinguishing Intrathyroid Parathyroid Adenoma from Colloid Nodules and Papillary Thyroid Carcinomas Using Multiphasic Multidetector Computed Tomography. J Comput Assist Tomogr 46(5):808-814, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36103680.
- Learned K, Vu TH, Choi JM, Gule-Monroe MK, Pytynia KB, Ginsberg LE. Purulent chondritis of thyroid cartilage. The British Institute of Radiology, 2020. e-Pub 2020.
- Wu S, Vu TH, Perrier ND. Use a Standard Nomenclature to Guide a Safe and Efficient Parathyroid Surgery. Viseo Endocrinology, 2019. e-Pub 2019.
- Vu TH, Kwon M, Ahmed S, Gule-Monroe M, Chen MM, Sun J, Fornage BD, Debnam JM, Edeiken-Monroe B. Diagnostic Accuracy and Scope of Intraoperative Transoral Ultrasound and Transoral Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration of Retropharyngeal Masses. American Journal of Neuroradiology 40(11):1960-1964, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31582388.
- Debnam JM, Vu TH, Sun J, Wei W, Krishnamurthy S, Zafereo ME, Weitzman SP, Garg N, Ahmed S. Vascular flow on doppler sonography may not be a valid characteristic to distinguish colloid nodules from papillary thyroid carcinoma even when accounting for nodular size. Gland Surgery, 2019. e-Pub 2019.
- Zafereo M, Yu J, Angelos P, Brumund K, Chuang H, Goldenberg D, Lango M, Perrier N, Randolph G, Shindo ML, Singer M, Smith R, Stack BC, Steward D, Terris DJ, Vu TH, Yao M, Tufano R. American Head and Neck Society Endocrine Surgery Section update on parathyroid imaging for surgical candidates with primary hyperparathyroidism. Journal of the Sciences and Specialties of the Head and Neck, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31002214.
- Vu TH, Schellingerhout D, Guha-Thakurta N, Sun J, Wei SW, Kappadath C, Perrier N, Kim EE, Rohren E, Chuang HH, Wong FC. Solitary Parathyroid Adenoma Localization in Technetium Tc99m Sestamibi SPECT and Multiphase Multidetector 4D CT. American Journal of Neuroradiology 40(1), 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 30523145.
- Jaber T, Waguespack SG, Cabanillas ME, Elbanan M, Vu TH, Dadu R, Sherman SI, Amit M, Santos EB, Zafereo M, Busaidy NL. Targeted Therapy in Advanced Thyroid Cancer to Resensitize Tumors to Radioactive Iodine. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 103(10):3698–3705, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30032208.
- Milgrom SA, Pinnix CC, Chi TL, Vu TH, Gunther JR, Sheu T, Fowler N, Westin JR, Nastoupil LJ, Oki Y, Fayad LE, Neelapu S, Rodriguez MA, Hagemeister FB, Fanale MA, Lee HJ, Hosing C, Ahmed S, Nieto Y, Shpall EJ, Dabaja BS. Radiation Therapy as an Effective Salvage Strategy for Secondary CNS Lymphoma. International Journal of Radiation Oncology *Biology*Physics 100(5):1146-1154, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29452771.
- Ahmed S, Ghazarian M, Cabanillas M, Zafereo M, Williams M, Vu T, Schomer D, Debnam J. Imaging of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma. American Journal of Neuroradiology, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29242360.
- Christakis I, Vu TH, Chuang HH, Fellman B, Figueroa AMS, Williams MD, Busaidy NL, Perrier ND. The diagnostic accuracy of neck ultrasound, 4D-Computed tomographyand sestamibi imaging in parathyroid carcinoma. European Journal of Radiology 95:82-88, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28987702.
- Ray P, Vu TH, Romero M, Perrier ND. Limiting the risks of radiation exposure in diagnostic imaging. Surgery 156(6):1297-9, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25456899.
- Ahmed S, Hamilton J, Colen R, Schellingerhout D, Vu TH, Rao G, McAleer MF, Mahajan A. Change in postsurgical cavity size within the first 30 days correlates with extent of surrounding edema: consequences for postoperative radiosurgery. J Comput Assist Tomogr 38(3):457-60, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24681852.
- Hunter GJ, Schellingerhout D, Vu TH, Perrier ND, Hamberg LM. Accuracy of four-dimensional CT for the localization of abnormal parathyroid glands in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Radiology 264(3):789-95, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22798226.
- Priest JR, Girirajan S, Vu TH, Olson A, Eichler EE, Portman MA. Rare copy number variants in isolated sporadic and syndromic atrioventricular septal defects. Am J Med Genet A 158A(6):1279-84, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22529060.
- Abbott DE, Cantor SB, Grubbs EG, Santora R, Gomez HF, Evans DB, Lee JE, Vu TH, Perrier ND. Outcomes and economic analysis of routine preoperative 4-dimensional CT for surgical intervention in de novo primary hyperparathyroidism: does clinical benefit justify the cost?. J Am Coll Surg 214(4):629-37; discussion 637-9, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22321526.
- Harris R, Ryu H, Vu TH, Kim E, Edeiken B, Grubbs EG, Perrier ND. Modern approach to surgical intervention of the thyroid and parathyroid glands. Semin Ultrasound CT MR 33(2):115-22, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22410359.
- Vu TH, Guha-Thakurta N, Harrell RK, Ahmed S, Kumar AJ, Johnson VE, Perrier ND, Hamberg LM, Hunter GJ, Schellingerhout D. Imaging characteristics of hyperfunctioning parathyroid adenomas using multiphase multidectector computed tomography: a quantitative and qualitative approach. J Comput Assist Tomogr 35(5):560-7, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21926850.
- Callender GG, Grubbs EG, Vu TH, Hofstetter WL, Fleming JB, Woodburn KL, Lee JE, Evans DB, Perrier ND. The fallen one: the inferior parathyroid gland that descends into the mediastinum. J Am Coll Surg 208(5):887-93; discussion 893-5, 2009. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 19476855.
- Perrier ND, Edeiken B, Nunez R, Gayed I, Jimenez C, Busaidy N, Potylchansky E, Kee S, Vu TH. A novel nomenclature to classify parathyroid adenomas. World J Surg 33(3):412-6, 2009. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 19148701.
- Chen YH, Velayudhan V, Weltman DI, Balsam D, Patel N, Draves KA, Robinson KA, Vu TH. Waiting to exhale: salvaging the nondiagnostic CT pulmonary angiogram by using expiratory imaging to improve contrast dynamics. Emerg Radiol 15(3):161-9, 2008. e-Pub 2008. PMID: 18189150.
- Philip M, Guerrero MA, Evans DB, Hunter GJ, Edeiken-Monroe BS, Vu TH, Perrier ND. Efficacy of 4D-CT preoperative localization in 2 patients with MEN 2A. J Surg Educ 65(3):182-5, 2008. e-Pub 2008. PMID: 18571130.
- Mortenson MM, Evans DB, Lee JE, Hunter GJ, Schellingerhout D, Vu TH, Edeiken BS, Feng L, Perrier ND. Parathyroid exploration in the reoperative neck: improved preoperative localization with 4D-computed tomography. J Am Coll Surg 206(5):888-895; discussion 895-896, 2008. e-Pub 2008. PMID: 18471717.
Other Articles
- Vu T Factors affecting anatomical distribution of central and lateral lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid cancer, 2024.
Abstracts
- Weller JH, Liu JB, Graham PH, Fisher SB, Grubbs EG, Dong F, Li K, Eldaya R, Vu T, Perrier ND. PC-4D-CT: A novel imaging modality for recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism. American Association of Endocrine Surgeons, 2026. e-Pub 2026.
- Ciavarra B, Abeysekera D, Yung JP, Walker CM, Schellingerhout D, Chasen NN, Ucisik-Keser FE, Vu TH, Khanpara S, Wintermark M, Johnson JM. Machine learning algorithmic approach to identify objective quantitative measures of MR brain image quality that predict radiologist subjective assessment. Proceedings of the Radiological Society of North America 108th Annual Meeting, 2022. e-Pub 2022.
- Gule-Monroe MK, Ginsberg LE, Vu TH. The postcricoid venous plexus revisited- a retrospective review of an overlooked normal anatomic structure. American Society of Head and Neck Radiology 52nd Annual Meeting Proceedings, 2018. e-Pub 2018.
- Ahmed S, Chen B, Vu TH, Stewart J, Schomer D, Shah K. Sonographic Features of Melanoma Nodal Metastasis in the Head and Neck. American Society of Neuroradiology 56th Annual Meeting Proceedings, 2018. e-Pub 2018.
- Ahmed S, Ghazarian M, Debnam M, Vu TH, Clayman G. Imaging of differentiated thyroid cancer: pre-surgical planning, evaluation of locally aggressive disease, and intra-operative ultrasound. Proceedings of the American Society of Neuroradiology 53rd Annual Meeting, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
- Vu TH, Chasen N, Bezerra R, Chavali L, Kwon M, Ahmed S, Kumar A, Perrier N. Atlas-guided 4DCT detection and classification of parathyroid adenomas. Proceedings of the ASNR 53rd Annual Meeting, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
- Vu TH, Kwon M, Shah K, Clayman G, Perrier N, Fornage B, Edieken B. The role of intra-operative ultrasound in head and neck oncology. Proceedings of the 48th Annual Conference of the American Society of Head and Neck Radiology, 2014. e-Pub 2014.
- Kwon M, Debnam M, Vu TH, DiVito D, Grubbs E, Perrier N, Wei W, Fornage B, Edeiken-Monroe B. Ultrasound diagnosis of intrathyroid parathyroid adenoma: the importance of identification of the dominant polar vessel. Proceedings of the American Society of Neuroradiology 52nd Annual Meeting, 2014. e-Pub 2014.
- Vu TH, Wong F, Kappadath SC, Wong S, Perrier N, Guha-Thakurta N, Chuang H, Rohren E, Schellingerhout D. Localization of parathyroid adenomas by Tc99m sestamibi SPECT-CT, contrast-enhanced multiphase CT (4D-CT) and combination of SPECT_CT and 4D-CT. Proceedings of the American Society of Neuroradiology 52nd Annual Meeting, 2014. e-Pub 2014.
- Ahmed S, Hamilton J, Schellingerhout D, Vu TH, Rao G, McAleer M, Mahajan A. Post-operative surgical cavity size change is predicted by surrounding vasogenic edema. Proceedings of the American Society of Neuroradiology 50th Annual Meeting, 2012. e-Pub 2012.
- Vu TH, Warneke C, Grubbs L, Jimenez C, Perrier N. Vitamin D supplementation does not alter size or perfusion of parathyroid adenomas. The proceedings of the International Association of Endocrine Surgery (IAES), 2011. e-Pub 2011.
- Ahmed S, Khawja S, Vu TH, Shah K, Sturgis E, Stewart J, Ginsberg L. Ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration biopsy is useful in the evaluation of post-radiated lymph nodes in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Proceedings of the American Roentgen Ray Society 111th Annual Meeting, 2011. e-Pub 2011.
- Vu TH Busaidy N, Guha-Thakurta N, Ahmed S, Grubbs, E, Urbauer D, Landry C, Kim E, Schellingerhout D, Perrier N. Primary hyperparathyroidism: comparison of 4D CT versus Sestmibi-SPECT/CT for Parathyroid Adenoma Localization. Proceedings Book of the American Society of Head and Neck Radiology 44th Annual Meeting, 2010. e-Pub 2010.
- Vu TH, Ahmed S, Perrier ND, Guha-Thakurta N, Kumar AJ, Hamberg LM, Hunter GJ. Assessment of hyperfunctioning Parathyroid Adenomas Using Multiphase Multidetector CT. Proceedings of the American Society of Neuroradiology 47th Annual Meeting, 2009. e-Pub 2009.
- Vu TH, Chen Y, Kardooni K, Krumenacker JH, Weltman DI. Multiplanar CT diagnosis of omental infarction in the emergent setting. Proceedings of the Society of Gastrointestinal Radiology 64th Annual Meeting, 2004. e-Pub 2004.
- Vu TH. Interesting case: multiplanar CT diagnosis of aortic injury. Proceedings of the Society of Gastrointestinal Radiology 64th Annual Meeting, 2004. e-Pub 2004.
- Chen Y, Vu TH, Weltman DI. Sixteen row multi-detector computed tomographic angiography evaluation of vascular compromise of the extremities in acute trauma: initial experience. Proceedings of the American Roentgen Ray Society 104th Annual Meeting, 2004. e-Pub 2004.
- Chen Y, Vu TH, Weltman DI. Clinical application of 16-row multi-detector computed tomographic angiography in the evaluation of the extremities. Proceedings of the Radiological Society of North America 89th Meeting, 2003. e-Pub 2003.
- Vu TH, Chen Y, Lev S. Imaging infectious and inflammatory processes of the suprathyoid neck. Proceedings of the American Society of Neuroradiology 41st Annual Meeting, 2003. e-Pub 2003.
- Choi MH, Vu TH, Chen Y, Weltman DI. The use of 16-row multi-detector computed tomographic angiography in the evaluation of body trauma. Proceedings of the Society of Emergency Radiology, 2003. e-Pub 2003.
- Vu TH, Tong C, Muthuchamy M. Realtime measurement of attachment and detachment of crossbridges in intact cardiac sarcomeres. Proceedings of the Texas A&M System Health Science Center, 1998. e-Pub 1998.
- Lui, Michael S, Shirali, Aditya S, Clemente-Gutierrez, Uriel, Huang, Bernice L, Chiang, Yi-Ju, b|Vu, b|| T, Kwon, Michael, Fisher, Sarah B, Graham, Paul H, Grubbs, Elizabeth G, Perrier, Nancy D. Not all black and white: Clinical significance of nonlocalizing cervical ultrasound results. AAES.
- Alizada S, Qudah HA, Kumar VA, Vu T. A Rare Cause of Primary Hyperparathyroidism: Parathyroid Lipoadenoma. Texas Society of Neuroradiology 2025.
- Qudah HA, Alizada S, Kumar VA, Vu T, Kaya D, Choi J. Differentiating Glioma from Solitary Brain Metastases using Advanced MR Imaging. Texas Society of Neuroradiology 2025.
- Alizada S, Qudah HA, Kaya D, Choi J, Vu T, Kumar VA. Role of Advanced MRI Techniques in Differentiation of Recurrent Glioma from Radiation-Induced Changes. Texas Society of Neuroradiology 2025.
- Alizada S, Al Qudah H, Debnam M, Msherghi A, Taslicay C, Saleem H, Dagher S, Dagher R, Williams M, Wintermark M, Vu T. Clinical and Imaging Clues to Recognize Parathyroid Lipoadenoma. American Society of Head & Neck 59th Annual Meeting.
Book Chapters
- Yaniv, D, Williams, MD, Vu, T, Busaidy, NL, Zafereo, M. Malignant parathyroid tumours, 819-829, 2024.
- Gule-Monroe MK, Kwon M, Shah KB, Johnson JM, Vu TH, Edeiken-Monroe BS. Ultrasound Characteristics and Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration of Lymph Nodes in the Cervical Soft Tissues: A Radiology Perspective. In: Advanced Thyroid and Parathyroid Ultrasound. Springer International Publishing, 227-239, 2017.
- Rodgers SE, Vu TH, Ray RP, Edeiken-Monroe BS, Perrier ND. Adjunctive imaging modalities: MRI, CT, and 4D-CT. In: Parathyroid Surgery: Fundamental and Advanced Concepts. Plural Publishing, 85-91, 2014.
- Grubbs EG Edeiken BS, Gule MK, Monroe BJ, Kim E, Vu TH, Perrier ND. Preoperative parathyroid imaging for the endocrine surgeon. In: Handbook of Parathyroid Diseases: A Case Based Practical Guide. Springer, 19-40, 2012.
- Landry CS, Grubbs EG, Edeiken-Monroe BS, Vu TH, Kim EE, Perrier ND. Parathyroid Imaging. In: The Handbook of Endocrine Surgery. World Scientific, 159-70, 2011.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified August 05, 2026