2026 Spinal CSF Leak: Bridging the Gap Conference

Bridging the Gap Between Patients and Providers: A Conference

The 4th Annual Bridging the Gap Conference

Hosted by: Dr. Andrew Callen and the University of Colorado Anschutz and sponsored by the Spinal CSF Leak Foundation
Date: November 14-15, 2026
Location: University of Colorado Anschutz Health Sciences Building, Aurora, Colorado, and virtual

See other Bridging the Gap events here

Bridging the Gap is an annual conference held in November, with in person attendance at the University of Colorado Anschutz in Aurora, Colorado and virtual participation options. This event aims to share collective insights via a diverse cohort of clinicians, researchers and patients, and is aimed at any person interested in spinal CSF leak, be they physicians, patients, caregivers, or the general population. The goal of this conference is to foster a nuanced, patient-centered understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of spinal CSF leak. This event is presented by Dr. Andrew Callen and the University of Colorado Anschutz and sponsored by the Spinal CSF Leak Foundation.

This year’s Bridging the Gap conference is entitled “From Puzzle Pieces to Patterns”. Over two days, patients, physicians, researchers, caregivers, and experts from around the world will come together to explore the evolving understanding of spinal CSF leak. The conference will highlight barriers to diagnosis and care, advances in imaging and treatment, uncommon and underrecognized presentations, the complexities of recovery, and the questions that continue to shape the field.

Connecting the puzzle pieces of what we know, examining what we are still learning, and recognizing patterns can all open the door to new understanding of this life-altering condition.

register for spinal CSF leak: bridging the gap 2026

LOCATION

ONLINE: Streaming link to be provided after registration, as the event gets closer.

IN-PERSON: University of Colorado Anschutz Health Sciences Building, Elliman Conference Center 1890 N Revere Ct Aurora, CO 80045

AGENDA


All times in Mountain Time. Times subject to change.

DAY 1: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2026

Breakfast and Registration — 7:30-8:30 AM

Opening Remarks — 8:30-8:45 AM

  • Opening Remarks: From Pieces to Patterns — Dr. Andrew Callen and Olivia Chelko

SESSION I — Navigating Barriers to Care in Spinal CSF Leak

  • Findings from the Barriers to Care in Spinal CSF Leak Survey — Jodi Ettenberg
  • Potential Gaps in Care from the Patient’s POV — Dr, Gwen Prowse
  • Navigating Barriers Related to Disability Insurance — Talia Ravis
  • Experience of a Patient Overcoming Significant Barriers to Care — Jen Melvin

☕️ Coffee Break ☕️ — 10:05-10:20 AM

SESSION II — Expanding the Diagnostic Map

  • New Advances, New Paths to Diagnosis — Dr. Andrew Callen
  • Advances in Spine MRI for CSF Leak – A Multicenter Perspective — Dr. Ian Mark
  • When Meningeal Diverticula are Absent: A New Pattern in CVFs — Aubrey Bolan and Dr. Ajay Madhavan

Moderated Q&A from morning sessions — 11:40-12:10 PM

Lunch — 12:10-1:10 PM

SESSION III — Manifestations of Head Pain in Spinal CSF Leak 

  • Differentiating Pain: Migraine, Cervicogenic Headache, and Leak — Dr. Kyle Jenkins
  • Head Pain Across the Low-High CSF Pressure Spectrum — Alisha Komives
  • Central Sensitization: What it is and what it isn’t — Dr. Andrew Callen
  • When SIH Is Mistaken for Migraine — Isabella Ullo

☕️ Coffee Break ☕️ — 2:30-2:45 PM

SESSION IV — Uncovering New Puzzle Pieces

  • CSF-Venous Fistulas: Advances in Imaging and Atypical Appearances — Dr. Lalani Carlton-Jones
  • Upper Cervical CSF-Lymphatic Fistula: A Patient’s Perspective — Carolyn Kohlmeier
  • Unexpected Surgical Findings From a Career in Spinal CSF Leak Surgery — Dr. Wouter Schievink

Patient Compilation Video — 3:50-4:00 PM

End of Day Q&A — 4:00-4:40 PM

Adjourn — 4:40 PM

DAY 2: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2026

Breakfast and Welcome Back — 7:30-8:30 AM

SESSION V — Uncommon, or Underrecognized? — 8:30-10:00 AM

  • Chronic PDPH, Iatrogenic CVFs, and When “Self-Limited” Isn’t — Dr. Ian Carroll
  • Atypical Presentation of Chronic Post-Dural Puncture Headache — Kyle Spawn
  • Arachnoiditis: Risk Factors, Mechanisms, Connections to CSF Leak — Dr. Debayan Bhaumik
  • Spinal CSF Leak in Pediatric Patients — Dr. Mark Mamlouk

☕️ Coffee Break ☕️ — 10:00-10:15 AM

SESSION VI — The Puzzle Beneath the Puzzle

  • Rebound Intracranial Hypertension Across the Pressure Spectrum — Dr. Katharina Wolf
  • Venous Outflow Disorders and Spinal CSF Leak — Dr. Travis Caton
  • Jugular Vein Compression & Spinal CSF Leak — Leah Leavitt
  • Spinal CSF Leak: Clinical Mimics and Misattributions — Dr. Lennarson

Q&A from morning sessions — 11:45-12:15 PM

Lunch — 12:15-1:15 PM

SESSION VII — Building the Infrastructure of Care

  • Administrative and Practical Realities of Building a Leak Center — Dr. Andrew Callen
  • Navigating Ongoing Care for Spinal CSF Leak as a Caregiver —Dr. Rob Rosencrans
  • Consensus Guidelines: How They are Settled and Why They Take So Long — Dr. Peter Kranz
  • Atraumatic Needles in Diagnostic Lumbar Puncture: Clinical and Economic Outcomes — Julia Lowin

☕️ Coffee Break☕️ — 2:40-2:55 PM

SESSION VIII — Caring for the Whole Person

  • Managing medical PTSD and how to discuss with patients — Maia Sidon
  • Explaining spinal CSF leak to family and friends — Tara Speak
  • Physical Therapy: During and After a Leak — Laura Freed
  • A New Normal: Life After Being Sealed — Ellen Sung

End of Day Q&A — 4:15-4:45 PM

Closing Remarks — 4:45 PM

SPEAKERS

Alisha Komives
Andrew Callen, MD (Course Director)
Ajay Madhavan, MD
Aubrey Bolan
Carolyn Kohlmeier, PhD
Debayan Bhaumik, MD
Ellen Sung, MBA
Gwen Prowse, PhD
Ian Carroll, MD, MS
Ian Mark, MD, MSM
Isabella Ullo
Jen Melvin
Jodi Ettenberg, BCL, LLB
Julia Lowin, MSc
Katharina Wolf, MD
Kyle Spawn
Kyle Jenkins, MD (Course Director))
Lalani Carlton Jones, MA (Cantab) MBBS MSc MRCS FRCR
Laura Freed, MPT
Leah Leavitt
Maia Sidon, PsyD
Mark Mamlouk, MD
Olivia Chelko, MPH, MA-NPO
Peter Kranz, MD
Peter Lennarson, MD
Rob Rosencrans, MD, PhD
Talia Ravis, JD
Tara Speak
Travis Caton, MD
Wouter Schievink, MD

ACCREDITATION AND DESIGNATION STATEMENT

Accreditation Statement:This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Colorado Medical Society and CU Anschutz Department of Radiology. The Colorado Medical Society is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Credit Designation:The Colorado Medical Society designates this live activity for a maximum of 13.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

  • Recognize and distinguish typical and atypical presentations of spinal CSF leak, including presentations that fall outside classic diagnostic criteria.
  • Integrate clinical features, imaging findings, and CSF physiology to reach a working diagnosis when initial testing is nondiagnostic.
  • Select appropriate diagnostic and treatment pathways for different leak subtypes, including dural tears, CSF-venous fistulas, and post-dural-puncture leaks.
  • Identify clinical, imaging-interpretation, and system-level barriers to timely diagnosis and opportunities to improve multidisciplinary care.
  • Apply practical strategies for a more comprehensive, patient-centered care pathway, including recognition of rebound intracranial hypertension and relevant rehabilitative and psychosocial needs.

YOUR QUESTIONS

We are yet again are offering a means for attendees to submit their questions for our moderated Q&A sessions ahead of the conference, via a form based on the section topics in the above agenda. We will get to as many as we can in the allocated Q&A time slots, but anticipate that volume will exceed the available time and apologize in advance for those questions we may not be able to get to. You can submit your questions in advance here. The deadline to submit questions in advance is Friday, October 30.

New this year: We are also introducing a new way for in person and virtual attendees to submit questions live during the conference itself. We will share more details about how to do so as we get closer to the event.