Bridging the Gap Conference 2026

Spinal CSF Leak: Bridging the Gap 2026

The Fourth Annual Spinal CSF Leak: Bridging the Gap Conference returns November 14–15, 2026, bringing together patients, physicians, researchers, caregivers, and experts from around the world for two days of education, discussion, and connection.

Presented by Dr. Andrew Callen and the University of Colorado Anschutz and sponsored by the Spinal CSF Leak Foundation, Spinal CSF Leak: Bridging the Gap is designed to bring diverse perspectives together and advance understanding of spinal CSF leak.

This year’s theme, “From Puzzle Pieces to Patterns,” reflects the many pieces that continue to shape our understanding of spinal CSF leak. Over two days, we’ll explore the cases, research, clinical observations, and patient experiences that continue to deepen what we know about this condition. As those pieces come together, they can help us recognize emerging patterns, identify remaining gaps, and better understand the questions that still need to be answered.

As with prior events, this conference will be FREE for patients, loved ones, and caregivers, whether attending virtually or in person.

In person registration will close on Friday, November 13th, 2026 at noon Mountain Time (MST)

AGENDA 

All times in Mountain Time (MST)
Note: schedule is subject to change.

DAY 1: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2026

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

Opening Remarks - 8:30-8:45 AM

• Opening Remarks: From Puzzle 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 (8:45–9:10 AM)
• Potential Gaps in Care from the Patient’s POV — Dr. Gwen Prowse (9:10–9:25 AM)
• Navigating Barriers Related to Disability Insurance — Talia Ravis (9:25–9:50 AM)
• Experience of a Patient Overcoming Significant Barriers to Care — Jen Melvin (9:50–10:05 AM)

Coffee Break - 10:05-10:20 AM

SESSION II: Expanding the Diagnostic Map 

• New Advances, New Paths to Diagnosis — Dr. Andrew Callen (10:20-10:45 AM)
• Advances in Spine MRI for CSF Leak – A Multicenter Perspective — Dr. Ian Mark (10:45-11:10 AM)
• Underrecognized Appearances of CSF-Venous Fistulas: Patient and Physician Perspectives — Aubrey Bolan and Dr. Ajay Madhavan (11:10-11:40 AM)

Moderated Q&A: 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 (1:10-1:35 PM)
• Head Pain Across the Low-High CSF Pressure Spectrum — Alisha Komives (1:35-1:50 PM)
• Central Sensitization: What it Is and What it Isn’t — Dr. Andrew Callen (1:50-2:15 PM)
• When SIH is Mistaken for Migraine — Isabella Ullo (2:15-2:30 PM)

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 (2:45-3:10 PM)
• Upper Cervical CSF-Lymphatic Fistula: A Patient’s Perspective — Dr. Carolyn Kohlmeier (3:10-3:25 PM)
• Unexpected Surgical Findings From a Career in Spinal CSF Leak Surgery — Dr. Wouter Schievink (3:25-3:50 PM)

Patient Compliation Video - 3:50-4:00 PM

Moderated Q&A: Afternoon Sessions - 4:00-4:40 PM

DAY 2: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2026

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

SESSION V: Uncommon, or Underrecognized?

• Chronic PDPH, Iatrogenic CVFs, and When “Self-Limited” Isn’t — Dr. Ian Carroll (8:30–8:55 AM)
• Atypical Presentation of Chronic Post-Dural Puncture Headache — Kyle Spawn (8:55–9:10 AM)
• Arachnoiditis: Risk Factors, Mechanisms, Connections to CSF Leak — Dr. Debayan Bhaumik (9:10–9:35 AM)
• Spinal CSF Leak in Pediatric Patients — Dr. Mark Mamlouk (9:35–10:00 AM)

Coffee Break - 10:00-10:15 AM

SESSION VI: The Puzzle Beneath the Puzzle 

• Rebound Intracranial Hypertension Across the Pressure Spectrum — Dr. Katharina Wolf (10:15-10:40 AM)
• Venous Outflow Disorders and Spinal CSF Leak — Dr. Travis Caton (10:40-11:05 AM)
• Jugular Vein Compression & Spinal CSF Leak — Leah Leavitt (11:05-11:20 AM)
• Spinal CSF Leak: Clinical Mimics and Misattributions — Dr. Peter Lennarson (11:20-11:45 AM)

Moderated Q&A: Morning Sessions - 11:45-12:15 PM

Lunch - 12:15-1:15 PM

SESSION VII: Building the Infrastructure of Care 

• Building a CSF Leak Center: Challenges and Opportunities — Dr. Andrew Callen (1:15-1:40 PM)
• Navigating Ongoing Care for Spinal CSF Leak as a Caregiver — Dr. Rob Rosencrans (1:40-1:55 PM)
• Consensus Guidelines: How They are Settled and Why They Take So Long — Dr. Peter Kranz (1:55-2:20 PM)
• Atraumatic Needles in Diagnostic Lumbar Puncture: Clinical and Economic Outcomes — Julia Lowin (2:20-2:40 PM)

Coffee Break - 2:40-2:55 PM

SESSION VIII: Caring for the Whole Person 

• Managing Medical PTSD and How to Discuss with Patients — Dr. Maia Sidon (2:55-3:20 PM)
• Explaining Spinal CSF Leak to Family and Friends — Tara Speak (3:20-3:35 PM)
• Physical Therapy: During and After a Leak — Laura Freed (3:35-4:00 PM)
• A New Normal: Life After Being Sealed — Ellen Sung (4:00-4:15 PM)

Moderated Q&A: Afternoon Sessions - 4:15-4:45 PM

Closing Remarks

Q&A SESSIONS: SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS AHEAD OF TIME

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. 

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 Planner)
• 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

TRAVEL CONSIDERATIONS

We have reserved a hotel block at The Benson Hotel and Faculty Club, located within walking distance of the conference. The discounted room block is available for Thursday, November 12 through Monday, November 15. Use our direct booking link to reserve your room at the conference rate. No group discount code is needed when booking through the direct link.

We have a limited amount of reserved rooms and so if you would like to stay there, please book ASAP. Hotel booking deadline for the discounted rate is October 19. If you are planning to reserve a room outside of Thursday -Sunday nights, please call the hotel directly at 720-627-5958. They ought to be able to accommodate the special rate for additional nights. 

If you prefer alternate hotels, there is a Hyatt House, SpringHill Suites, Holiday Inn Express & Suites, or Comfort Suites all in similar distance to the conference venue as The Benson Hotel & Faculty Club.

Hotel information:

The Benson Hotel & Faculty Club
13025 East Montview Boulevard, Aurora CO 80045
720-627-5958

Parking information:

Parking is free for conference attendees. Detailed information about where to park and parking instructions will be sent out during the week of the event.

If you are staying overnight at the hotel, the conference venue is approximately a 10-minute walk from the hotel.

When you look up the conference location, Google Maps may display a “Parking” sign at the address. There used to be a parking garage at this location, which may be why the parking designation still appears on the map. Please use the address we have provided, regardless of what Google Maps says about parking. We will also send detailed instructions to attendees the week of the conference.

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

At the end of this activity, learners will be able to:

• 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

REFUNDS: The full registration fee is refundable, less the processing fee, if your cancellation is received, in writing, by October 23, 2026 (The processing fee is nonrefundable regardless of the reason for cancellation). Refunds will not be granted after this time, or in the case of non-attendance. The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus reserve the right to cancel this conference in the event of an unforeseen circumstance or force majeure event. In the event of cancellation, only the registration fee will be refunded.