Description of Clinical Expertise

Dr. Choudhri leads the busiest elective neurovascular practice at the University of Pennsylvania, bringing a hybrid approach to cerebrovascular disease treatment through joint appointments in Neurosurgery and Radiology. With specialized training in interventional neuroradiology and cerebrovascular skull base surgery, he offers cutting-edge treatments for brain aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, stroke, cavernous malformations, Moyamoya disease, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, and pulsatile tinnitus.

Dr. Choudhri has pioneered numerous advancements in Penn’s neurovascular surgery program. In 2018, he launched the transradial neurointerventional program, making Penn a leader in upper extremity access techniques, with over 95% of his cases performed radially. As the first Director of Cerebral Revascularization at Penn, he performed the institution’s inaugural direct bypass for Moyamoya disease and has built a thriving revascularization practice for complex steno-occlusive diseases.

A visionary in neurovascular innovation, Dr. Choudhri played a pivotal role in establishing Penn’s hybrid neurovascular operating room in 2017 and designed the state-of-the-art hybrid neurovascular ORs at the newly opened Penn Pavilion in 2021. He is among the few neurosurgeons globally with extensive experience in treating over 500 continuous open neurovascular cases in a hybrid OR setting employing intraoperative angiography. Additionally, he spearheaded Penn’s neuro-endovascular robotics program in 2021, completing over 300 cases, and is a national leader in advancing robotic neurovascular technologies and remote stroke interventions.

Dr. Choudhri has also developed an internationally recognized pulsatile tinnitus practice in collaboration with neuro-otology and neuro-ophthalmology, attracting numerous out-of-state referrals. His collaborative approach extends across disciplines, including neurology, radiology, otolaryngology, ophthalmology, vascular surgery, and vascular biology. He is actively involved in multiple clinical trials through industry and other academic centers.

As the longest-standing dual-trained cerebrovascular neurosurgeon at Penn, Dr. Choudhri has expanded the institution’s reach beyond Philadelphia by developing cerebrovascular programs at Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital (penn strategic affiliate health system) and Penn Medicine Cherry Hill. These efforts led to Virtua’s accreditation as a Thrombectomy-Capable Center and significantly enhanced access to cerebrovascular care for South Jersey residents.

Dr. Choudhri is one of the top five most experienced neurosurgeons nationally in TCAR (transcarotid artery revascularization), having treated over 100 patients with excellent outcomes. He also leads Penn Neurosurgery's busiest carotid revascularization practice, offering unparalleled expertise in carotid endarterectomy, transfemoral and transradial carotid artery stenting, and TCAR.

Description of Other Expertise

Dr Choudhri is a comprehensive cerebrovascular skull base and endovascular neurosurgeon who treats patients across the entire spectrum of cerebrovascular conditions. He is a gifted teacher and mentor and has mentored multiple college students, high school students, medical students, residents, fellows and junior faculty members.

Expertise/ Conditions treated & Procedures:

Brain Aneurysms
Arteriovenous Malformations
Stroke
Cavernous Malformations
Spinal AVM
Dural Arteriovenous Fistula
Pial Arteriovenous Fistula
Developmental Venous Anomaly
Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease
Intracranial Stenting
Flow Diversion Treatment (Pipeline, FRED-X, Surpass)
Intrasaccular Therapies ( WEB treatment, Contour Device, Artisse Device)
Moyamoya disease
Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension
Subdural Hematoma
Pulsatile Tinnitus
Aneurysm Clipping
Aneurysm Coiling
Stent Assisted Coiling
Meningioma
Bow Hunter Syndrome
Eagle Syndrome
Autosomal Dominant Adult Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD)
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Marfan syndrome
Loeys-Dietz Syndrome
Radiosurgery
Gamma Knife
CyberKnife
AVM Embolization
Middle Meningeal Artery Embolization
Tumor Embolization
ECIC bypass
Venous Sinus Stenting
Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt
Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy
Superficial Temporal Artery to Middle Cerebral Artery Bypass
Intracranial Bypass
Microsurgery
Microanastamosis
Carotid Endarterectomy
Carotid Artery Stenting
Transcarotid Artery Revascularization
Skull Base Surgery

Description of Research Expertise

Dr. Choudhri’s research centers on cerebrovascular disease and cutting-edge vascular imaging. He is a recognized leader in cerebrovascular venous imaging, pioneering innovative translational approaches to address conditions such as idiopathic intracranial hypertension and pulsatile tinnitus. His work leverages advanced techniques, including microangiography, optical coherence tomography, photon-counting CT, and state-of-the-art MRI modalities like 4D flow MRI and vessel wall imaging, to deepen our understanding of cerebral venous pathology.

Dr. Choudhri’s lab focuses on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) physiology, with a particular emphasis on the venous glymphatic system and the molecular mechanisms underlying CSF clearance. His research explores the implications of these processes in diseases such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as their potential for enhancing therapeutic strategies, including drug delivery.

Dedicated to translational science, Dr. Choudhri actively develops and tests novel devices and solutions for cerebrovascular disease. He also leads and collaborates on multiple clinical trials aimed at advancing treatments for aneurysms and venous disorders.