Ibrahim Abukhiran, MD

Assistant Professor of Pathology

Ibrahim Abukhiran is an Assistant Professor of Pathology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and a Gastrointestinal and Pancreaticobiliary Pathologist at the Gastrointestinal Pathology Center of Excellence at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr. Abukhiran is the Medical Director of the Pathology Image Analysis Laboratory in addition to being the Medical Director of the Synoptic Compliance and the Director of Resident Education in Gastrointestinal Pathology. He obtained his medical education from Jordan University of Science and Technology and completed his residency in Anatomic Pathology/Clinical Pathology (AP/CP) at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He also completed his fellowship in Gastrointestinal Surgical Pathology at the same institution. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Abukhiran is a clinical and translational researcher with an keen interest in biomarker immunohistochemistry, digital image analysis, and artificial intelligence. His primary focus is to explore new applications of these technologies to improve the diagnosis, prognostication, and prediction of therapy response for inflammatory, pre-malignant, and malignant conditions.

Academic Appointments

  • Medical Director, Pathology Image Analysis Laboratory, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
  • Medical Director, Synoptic Compliance, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
  • Medical Director, Resident Education in Gastrointestinal Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
  • Gastrointestinal and Pancreaticobiliary Pathologist, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center - Presbyterian Hospital

Clinical Expertise

Dr. Abukhiran’s diagnostic expertise includes both medical and surgical diseases of the tubal gut, pancreas, biliary tract, and liver.

Specialties

Gastrointestinal (tubal gut) Pathology, Liver Pathology, Pancreaticobiliary Pathology, Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Therapy Predictive Immunohistochemistry, Digital Image Analysis.

Certifications

American Board of Anatomic Pathology

American Board of Clinical Pathology

Education & Training
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan (2009-2015)
Anatomic & Clinical Pathology Residency (AP/CP), University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, (2017-2021)
Fellow, Gastrointestinal, liver, and pancreaticobiliary Pathology Fellowship, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa (2021–2022)
Awards
Stowell-Orbison Certificate of Merit, United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP), March 2022
Stowell-Orbison Certificate of Merit, United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP). March 2021
Best USCAP Abstract Award, Association of Indian Pathologists in North America (AIPNA), March 2021
Rodger C. Haggitt Gastrointestinal Pathology Society Case of The Month Award, March 2021
Top 5 Junior Member Abstract Award (4th Place), College of American Pathologists 2020 Annual Meeting, October 2020
Paul E. Strandjord Young Investigator Award, Academy of Clinical Laboratory Physicians and Scientists (ACLPS), June 2020
Resident Research Fund Award, Department of Pathology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, August 2019
Travel Award, National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) Annual Meeting, October 2018
Resident Research Fund Award, Department of Pathology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, December 2017
Research Interests

Dr. Abukhiran is a clinical and translational researcher with interest in biomarker immunohistochemistry and digital image analysis. Dr. Abukhiran's main interest is finding novel applications of immunohistochemistry and digital image analysis that serve as diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive of response to therapy.

Representative Publications

Journal Publications

  • Walker, B. J., Lung, M., Lataifeh, H., Patel, A., Abukhiran, I., & Amarneh, M. (2023). The Incidence of Ischemic Cholecystitis after Prophylactic Cystic Artery Embolization: A Single-Center Retrospective Study. The Arab Journal of Interventional Radiology, 07(02), 088-093. doi:10.1055/s-0043-1774804
  • Isidro, R. A., Abukhiran, I., Dunseth, C. D., Gosse, M. D., Humble, R. M., Pelletier, D. J., . . . Hornick, J. L. (2023). Strong Annexin A10 Expression Supports a Pancreatic Primary and Combined Annexin A10, Claudin 18, and SOX2 Expression Supports an Esophagogastric Origin in Carcinomas of Unknown Primary. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SURGICAL PATHOLOGY, 47(4), 440-452. doi:10.1097/PAS.0000000000001994
  • Callaghan, C. M., Abukhiran, I. M., Masaadeh, A., van Rheeden, R. V., Kalen, A. L., Rodman, S. N., . . . Caster, J. M. (2023). Manipulation of Redox Metabolism Using Pharmacologic Ascorbate Opens a Therapeutic Window for Radio-Sensitization by ATM Inhibitors in Colorectal Cancer. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RADIATION ONCOLOGY BIOLOGY PHYSICS, 115(4), 933-944. doi:10.1016/j.ijrobp.2022.10.012
  • Sambharia, M., Freese, M. E., Donato, F., Bathla, G., Abukhiran, I. M. M., Dantuma, M. I., . . . Thomas, C. P. (2023). Suspected Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease but Cerebellar Vermis Hypoplasia, Oligophrenia Ataxia, Coloboma, and Hepatic Fibrosis (COACH) Syndrome in Retrospect, A Delayed Diagnosis Aided by Genotyping and Reverse Phenotyping: A Case Report and A Review of the Literature. NEPHRON. doi:10.1159/000527991
  • Rogers, K. J., Abukhiran, I. M., Syrbu, S., Tomasson, M., Bates, M., Dhakal, P., & Bhagavathi, S. (2023). Utilizing digital pathology and immunohistochemistry of p53 as an adjunct to molecular testing in myeloid disorders. Academic Pathology, 10(1), 100064. doi:10.1016/j.acpath.2022.100064
  • Abukhiran, I., Syrbu, S. I., & Holman, C. J. (2021). Markers of Follicular Helper T Cells Are Occasionally Expressed in T-Cell or Histiocyte-Rich Large B-Cell Lymphoma, Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma, and Atypical Paracortical Hyperplasia A Diagnostic Pitfall For T-Cell Lymphomas of T Follicular Helper Origin. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PATHOLOGY, 156(3), 409-426. doi:10.1093/ajcp/aqaa249
  • El-Alali, E. A., Abukhiran, I. M., & Alhmoud, T. Z. (2021). Successful use of montelukast in eosinophilic gastroenteritis: a case report and a literature review. BMC GASTROENTEROLOGY, 21(1). doi:10.1186/s12876-021-01854-x
  • Abukhiran, I., Jasser, J., & Bhagavathi, S. (2021). Education Case: Hereditary Thrombophilia With Double Heterozygous Factor V Leiden and Factor II c.*97G>A Mutations.. Acad Pathol, 8, 2374289521990788. doi:10.1177/2374289521990788
  • Abukhiran, I., Mott, S. L., Bellizzi, A. M., & Boukhar, S. A. (2021). Paraneoplastic leukemoid reaction: Case report and review of the literature. PATHOLOGY RESEARCH AND PRACTICE, 217. doi:10.1016/j.prp.2020.153295
  • Abukhiran, I., Jasser, J., Farhat, I., & Boukhar, S. (2020). Case of a Large Pedunculated Biliary Cholesterol Polyp With Osseous Metaplasia.. Cureus, 12(12), e12357. doi:10.7759/cureus.12357
  • Abukhiran, I., Jasser, J., & Bhagavathi, S. (2020). Double-homozygosity for Factor V Leiden and Prothrombin c.*97G > A Mutation in a Young Female with Recurrent Fetal Losses and no Venous Thromboembolism. Human Pathology: Case Reports, 22, 200425. doi:10.1016/j.ehpc.2020.200425
  • Abukhiran, I. A., Jasser, J., & Syrbu, S. (2020). Paraneoplastic leukemoid reactions induced by cytokine-secreting tumours. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PATHOLOGY, 73(6), 310-313. doi:10.1136/jclinpath-2019-206340
  • Abukhiran, I., Jasser, J., Hoffman, H. T., & Syrbu, S. (2020). Mantle Cell Lymphoma Involving Major and Minor Salivary Glands With Parotid Sparing. JAMA OTOLARYNGOLOGY-HEAD & NECK SURGERY, 146(3), 309-311. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2019.4116
  • Teferi, N., Abukhiran, I., Noeller, J., Helland, L. C., Bathla, G., Ryan, E. C., . . . Hitchon, P. W. (2020). Vertebral hemangiomas: Diagnosis and management. A single center experience. CLINICAL NEUROLOGY AND NEUROSURGERY, 190. doi:10.1016/j.clineuro.2020.105745
  • Al-daghmin, A., Alhamss, S., Al-Najjar, H., Al-Saidi, I., Al-Qasem, K., Abukhiran, I., . . . Alhusban, M. (2019). Survival and metastasis in muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients who present with indeterminate pulmonary nodules before treatment. ANNALS OF SAUDI MEDICINE, 39(1), 42-47. doi:10.5144/0256-4947.2019.42
  • Al Saidi, I. K., Alqasem, K. S., Gharaibeh, S. T., Qamhia, N. Z. N., Abukhiran, I., & Al Daghmin, A. A. (n.d.). Trends of partial and radical nephrectomy in managing small renal masses. Türk Üroloji Dergisi/Turkish Journal of Urology, 43(1), 42-47. doi:10.5152/tud.2016.33667
  • Ellati, R. T., Abukhiran, I., Alqasem, K., Jasser, J., Khzouz, J., Bisharat, T., . . . Al-Daghmin, A. (2017). lClinicopathologic Features of Translocation Renal Cell Carcinoma. CLINICAL GENITOURINARY CANCER, 15(1), 112-116. doi:10.1016/j.clgc.2016.05.013
  • Alqasem, K., Abukhiran, I., Jasser, J., Bisharat, T., Ellati, R. T., Khzouz, J., . . . Al Daghamin, A. (n.d.). Clinico-pathological outcomes of post- primary and salvage chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for mixed germ cell tumors, King Hussein Cancer Center experience. Türk Üroloji Dergisi/Turkish Journal of Urology, 42(4), 256-260. doi:10.5152/tud.2016.64188
  • Abukhiran, I., Rosenthal, N., & Syrbu, S. (n.d.). Compound Angiotrophic Biphasic Myeloid Sarcoma with JAK2 (V617F) and KRAS (G12C) mutations. Mold J Health Sci, 10(4).

Conference Presentations

  •  Abukhiran, I., Pai, R., & Hartman, D. (2023). GENIE-Enhanced Digital Image Analysis Increases the Diagnostic Accuracy of p53 And SATB2 in The Diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Associated Dysplasia. Retrieved from https://www.webofscience.com/
  • Eletrebi, M., Masaadeh, A., Abukhiran, I., & Bellizzi, A. (2023). PAX1-Positivity is Specific for an Oropharyngeal Origin Among Squamous Cell Carcinomas. Retrieved from https://www.webofscience.com/
  • Choi, A., Abukhiran, I., & Bellizzi, A. (2023). Loss of ATRX/DAXX Immunohistochemical Expression as a Surrogate for Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT)-Positivity is Associated with Adverse Clinicopathologic Features in Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors. Retrieved from https://www.webofscience.com/
  • Abukhiran, I., Eletrebi, M., Masaadeh, A., & Bellizzi, A. (2023). Immunohistochemical Characterization of Duodenal Neuroendocrine Tumors, Including Validation of the Novel Marker NKX6.2 Identified by Gene Expression Profiling. Retrieved from https://www.webofscience.com/
  • Abukhiran, I., & Bellizzi, A. (2023). Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT)-Positive Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) Occurs Exclusively in Non-Cirrhotic Liver, and is Associated with Nuclear Anaplasia, Poorly Differentiated Morphology, and Macro-Trabecular Growth Pattern, but Not "Chromophobic" Cytoplasm. Retrieved from https://www.webofscience.com/
  • Caldwell, N., Abukhiran, I., & Bellizzi, A. (2022). Whole-Slide Digital Quantification of Intraepithelial Gamma/Delta T-Cell Populations Can Distinguish Celiac Disease from Other Etiologies of Duodenal Intraepithelial Lymphocytosis. In United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology 2022 Annual Meeting. Los Angeles, CA.
  • Abukhiran, I., Choi, A., & Bellizzi, A. (2022). Grading Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (GEP-NETs) Using Clinically Validated Ki-67 Digital Image Analysis Identifies Systematically Higher Proliferation Indices in Distant Metastases and the Superiority of Hotspot Over Whole Slide-Based Quantification. In United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology 2022 Annual Meeting. Los Angeles, CA.
  • Isidro, R., Abukhiran, I., Humble, R., Gosse, M., Isaacson, A., Arnouk, J., . . . Hornick, J. (2022). Evaluation of Annexin A10, Claudin-18, and SOX2 Expression in 545 Gastrointestinal and Pancreaticobiliary Adenocarcinomas. In United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology 2022 Annual Meeting. Los Angeles, CA.
  • Abukhiran, I., Krasowski, M., Bellizzi, A., Boukhar, S., & Merrill, A. (2021). Patterns and Utility of Fecal Calprotectin in Patients with Microscopic Colitis. In College of American Pathologists 2021 Annual Meeting. Online.
  • Abukhiran, I., Krasowski, M., Bellizzi, A., Boukhar, S., & Merrill, A. (2021). Patterns and Utility of Fecal Calprotectin in Patients with Microscopic Colitis. In Academy of Clinical Laboratory Physicians and Scientists 2021Annual Meeting. Online.
  • Abukhiran, I., Humble, R., Caldwell, N., Rajan, A., & Boukhar, S. (2021). SATB2 Expression in Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) is Infrequent and Specific for Proximal Tubular Origin. In United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology 2021 Annual Meeting. Online.
  • Abukhiran, I., Humble, R., Caldwell, N., Farhat, I., Rajan, A., Bellizzi, A., & Boukhar, S. (2021). Novel Prognostic Quantitation of PAX8 Expression and Tumor-Nuclear-Size by Digital Image Analysis in Renal Cell Carcinomas; Decreased PAX8 Expression and Higher-Tumor-Nuclear-Size are Associated with Tumors of larger Size, Higher Grade and Stage, and Risk of Metastasis. In United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology 2021 Annual Meeting. Online.
  • Abukhiran, I., Farhaat, I., Bellizzi, A., & Boukhar, S. (2021). Reduced S-100 Expression in Melanoma Assessed by Digital Image Analysis Predicts Poor Overall Survival. In United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology 2021 Annual Meeting. Online.
  • Gosse, M., Humble, R., Abukhiran, I., & Bellizzi, A. (2021). SMARCA4 (BRG1) Loss in Upper Gastrointestinal Adenocarcinoma is Not Exclusive to Tumors with Undifferentiated/Dedifferentiated/Rhabdoid Histology. In United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology 2021 Annual Meeting. Online.
  • Abukhiran, I., Farhat, I., Bellizzi, A., & Boukhar, S. (2021). Head-to-Head Comparison of S-100 and SOX10 in the Diagnosis of Melanoma. In United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology 2021 Annual Meeting. Online.
  • Abukhiran, I., Guseva, N., Bossler, A., & Ma, D. (2020). Comparison of the Performance of Specimens From Core Needle Biopsy, Cell Block, and Cytology Smears on Molecular Oncology Testing by Next-Generation Sequencing. In Collage of American Pathologists 2020 Annual Meeting. Online.
  • Bellizzi, A., Rajan, A., & Abukhiran, I. (2020). Characterization of the Nuclear Phenospace With HALO in Ki-67 Proliferation Index Assessment of Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrine Tumors. In Collage of American Pathologists 2020 Annual Meeting. Online.
  • Abukhiran, I., Bellizzi, A., & Rajan, A. (2020). Characterization of the Nuclear Phenospace with HALO in Ki-67% Proliferation Index Assessment of Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrine Tumors (GI-NET). In Academy of Clinical Laboratory Physicians and Scientists 2020 Annual Meeting. Online.
  • Abukhiran, I., Holman, C., & Syrbu, S. (2020). Patterns of Expression of PD-1, CXCL13, ICOS, CD10, and BCL-6 in Angioimmunoblastic T-cell Lymphoma (AITL), Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma (PTCL), T-Cell/Histiocyte-Rich B-Cell Lymphoma (TCHRBCL), Paracortical Hyperplasia, Progressive Transformation of Germinal Centers (PTGC), and Reactive Follicular Hyperplasia. In Academy of Clinical Laboratory Physicians and Scientists 2020 Annual Meeting. Online.
  • Abukhiran, I., Bellizzi, A., & Rajan, A. (2020). Detection and Classification of Organism and Organism-like Profiles in Gastric Biopsy Helicobacter Immunohistochemistry by Digital Image Analysis (DIA). In United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology 2020 Annual Meeting. Los Angeles, CA.
  • Abukhiran, I., Holman, C., & Syrbu, S. (2020). Patterns of Expression of PD-1, CXCL13, ICOS, CD10, and BCL-6 in Angioimmunoblastic T-cell Lymphoma, Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma, T-Cell/Histiocyte-Rich B-Cell Lymphoma, Paracortical Hyperplasia, Progressive Transformation of Germinal Centers, and Reactive Follicular Hyperplasia. In United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology 2020 Annual Meeting. Los Angeles, CA.
  • Gosse, M., Humble, R., Abukhiran, I., Hornick, J., & Bellizzi, A. (2020). EBV-Positivity is Rare in Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinomas and is Restricted to Gastric Tumors. In United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology 2020 Annual Meeting. Los Angeles, CA.
  • Abukhiran, I., Gosse, M., Humble, R., & Bellizzi, A. (2020). SMAD4-Inactivation is Rare in Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinomas and does not Occur at Increased Frequency in Metastases. In United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology 2020 Annual Meeting. Los Angeles, CA.
  • Abukhiran, I., Gosse, M., Humble, R., & Bellizzi, A. (2020). TTF-1 and Napsin A-Positivity is Rare in Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinomas: An Affirmation. In United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology 2020 Annual Meeting. Los Angeles, CA.
  • Hasan, Y., Gerke, H., & Abukhiran, I. (2019). Gastrointestinal Plasmacytomas. In American College of Gastroenterology 2019 Annual Meeting. San Antonio, TX.
  • Abukhiran, I., & Hefti, M. (2019). Multiple and aggressive vertebral body hemangiomas (VBHs) presenting as metastatic disease: case report and diagnostic radio-pathological correlation. In Collage of American Pathologists 2019 Annual Meeting. Orlando, FL.
  • Abukhiran, I., Pelletier, D., Bellizzi, A., & Boukhar, S. (2018). Undifferentiated Colon Cancer Presenting With Paraneoplastic Leukemoid Reaction: Case Report and Literature Review. In College of American Pathologists 2018 Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL.
  • Abukhiran, I., Rooney, S., & Firchau, D. (2018). Ketamine intoxication from a topical preparation contributing to heart disease. In National Association of Medical Examiners 2018 Annual Meeting. West Palm Beach, FL.