Meet Dr. Andrew Callen, Assistant Professor of Neuroradiology, and Director of the CSF Leak Program at the University of Colorado. Dr. Callen specializes in diagnosing and treating CSF leaks and leads a collaborative team of radiologists, neurologists, and neurosurgeons to provide cutting-edge testing and treatment for spontaneous intracranial hypotension at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
We recently asked Dr. Callen to share with us a little about his life and work.
What first motivated you to focus on spinal CSF leaks?
I became interested in spinal CSF leaks as a trainee during residency when I participated in the care of a patient who was misdiagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) when in fact he had a treatable CSF leak. I was blown away that a patient could be so grossly misdiagnosed, and started to realize that this patient population was incredibly under-served.
What do you wish more people knew about spinal CSF leaks?
How our patients do not “read the textbook”: so many patients do not have a classic clinical presentation, and the imaging findings can be very subtle.
What are you most excited about right now regarding spinal CSF leak research?
I am very excited about new techniques to find CSF-venous fistulas. I am also very interested in the “imaging negative” patient.
What do you like to do when you’re not seeing patients or thinking about spinal CSF leak?
I love spending time with my wife, two kids, dog and cat. I also love to play golf!
Thanks, Dr. Callen, for all you do to help patients, educate others, further research, and raise awareness about spinal CSF leak!
Further info:
In conversation with Dr. Andrew Callen
After 18 years, a proper diagnosis—and treatment