The CU CSF Leak Program reviews referral information before scheduling an evaluation so that we can determine whether our program is the right next step and what testing or treatment may be needed. Our goal is to make this process as clear and efficient as possible for patients, referring clinicians, and our care team.
Please note: Sending a referral does not automatically guarantee a clinic visit or a procedure. After review, our team will recommend the most appropriate next step based on the available history, imaging, and records.
You must complete all steps below before we will review your case.
Patients should create a free UCHealth My Health Connection account and upload insurance if applicable. This allows our team to communicate and coordinate care through UCHealth systems.
Your referring provider should send a referral to AMC Neurology with a request for evaluation by the CU CSF Leak Program.
Referral and supporting documents may be faxed to:
Fax: 720-553-0171
Attention: CU CSF Leak Program
Outside imaging and records are very helpful and may allow our team to make a more informed recommendation before your visit. If you have prior imaging or procedures related to your symptoms, please send them for review when possible.
Helpful records include:
Imaging reports alone are less helpful than the actual images. When possible, please have the actual imaging studies pushed electronically to UCHealth through PowerShare or mailed on a disc.
Important: We encourage patients to send prior imaging, but lack of complete outside imaging does not necessarily stop the referral process. In many cases, updated imaging or specialized CSF leak imaging will be obtained at UCHealth if the patient is accepted for evaluation.
Imaging can be pushed electronically through PowerShare to UCHealth. Patients or outside facilities may also use the UCHealth PowerShare to upload link:
Upload imaging to UCHealth through PowerShare
Imaging and records may also be mailed to:
University of Colorado
Once referral information has been received, the CSF Leak Program reviews the case to determine the most appropriate next step. Depending on the history and imaging, this may include a clinic visit, additional imaging, a procedure-based evaluation, referral to another specialty, or a recommendation that the CU CSF Leak Program is not the best fit for the patient's current question.
Because of the high volume of referrals, review make take several weeks or longer. Missing records or imaging may slow the review process, but our team will help identify what is most important when additional information is needed.
The CU CSF Leak Program uses a physician-led team model. New patient evaluations and complex diagnostic decisions are reviewed by the physician team. Dr. Callen is closely involved in imaging review, treatment strategy, and image-guided procedures. Because many patients require ongoing follow-up after imaging or procedures, follow-up visits are often performed by our nurse or nurse practitioner team.
This does not mean that care has been handed off. Our nurse practitioners review cases with the physicians, help guide recovery and next steps, and escalate questions when physician input is needed. Dr. Callen remains directly involved at major decision points, including complex imaging findings, unexpected treatment responses, consideration of surgery, or when the team feels physician follow-up is needed.
