Ian Carroll's Online Review Report Card

I had heard great things about Dr. Carroll. I sought to see him for several months. He seemed like he took me serious initially, and asked questions during our first telehealth. Unfortunately, once I was under his care, he was dismissive and refused to consider my input and what had helped me in the past for my CSF leak. Instead he told me if his patch didn't work then I was out of luck. Well his patch didn't work. He was patching me in the wrong spot but refused to consider that was a possibility. My leak did not show on imaging. I had had such great relief in a different area previously but he stayed away from it. Now I'm back to square one. It's so hard to find a doctor who knows how to do patches. I wish he wouldn't give up on his patients and that he had given me the benefit of the doubt and at least tried to patch where I believe my leak is.

Dr. Carroll has put out some amazing videos. If only he acted like that in real life. He dismissed me after 2 patches. and made sure I knew he was doing me a favor by patching me at all. Previous patches elsewhere had given me significant relief so I came to the "expert" to finally be sealed. He refused to patch the area that had given me relief previously and when his patches failed he said I'll never be better. Time, money and hope wasted. I know several of his patients as we are all in a csf group. The patients he sticks with are generally minorities, ages 20-40. (We took a poll in the group.) Is that coincidence? I'm not sure. If you're a csf leaker, do NOT get your hopes up with Dr. Carroll, especially if you're older, white and especially if your not a simple case. There are too many of us who he turned out to pasture that could definitely have been healed. What a tragedy and disservice.

He pitches himself as someone who deeply wants to help patients especially complicated patients with connective tissue disorders and possible CSF leaks. He refused to even see me though there is ample evidence I have a CSF leak. I am seeing another CSF leak specialist so don’t get discouraged if this so called caring doctor refuses to see you.

I waited a year telling me he'd review my CFL leak and give feedback if denied so I'd know one way or other. All other clinics had exclusions my different zebra conditions. The whole process his staff delayed review telling me my referral was or wasn't reviewed, not telling me the 48 hour test was before appointment and just sending me in circles till I responded and they sent these notes making the doctor deny referral without even looking at my records a year of work wasted, and no apology how his employees behaved. They didn't even await the notes from my neurosurgeon. It was awful.

Disorganized, unprofessional, poor communication.

Thorough, compassionate and driven to achieve results, Dr. Carroll came highly recommended as a CSF leak expert via both patients and physicians. I’m lucky to have him as my physician.

Dr. Carroll is an absolutely phenomenal doctor! He believed I had a spinal leak when no one else did. He was extremely thorough in our initial consultation. It was worth the long wait to get into see him. I got my blood patch procedure done Oct 19th 2018 and am just recovering now. The day of my surgery, he was genuinely kind and wants the best for his patients. He explains everything during the procedure and makes you feel very calm and confident in his abilities. I can't describe in words what an amazing doctor he is. I am a part of a spinal leak support group, and everyone raves about what an amazing person and doctor he is. He is worth your time. He is worth seeing. He changes lives. Thank you Dr. Carroll for helping me not feel invisible in the healthcare system. You gave me so much hope.

From the first office visit through the medical procedure itself, the care I received from Dr Carroll directly goes unmatched. His participation with prepping me, his availability to both myself and my husband, his ability to listen to our concerns and respectfully address them. His bedside manner is remarkable. Thank you Dr. Ian Carroll

He's only concerned about himself. He's arrogant, untruthful (he flat out lied many times to me about my case, his staff, & went out of his way to ensure that each of my visit notes included multiple falsities). A lot of his colleagues do not respect him , & are very vocal about this. I could go on & on about how this man is a huge liability & disservice to Stanford Healthcare & the patients served.

What a great experience! My mother was at the Stanford pain management clinic and Dr. Carroll was amazing. He is truly caring and so knowledgeable. You can really see and feel his concern for his patients. My mother is home now, pain free:-)