A multimodal imaging system for label-free parathyroid gland identification and vascularity assessment

Abstract

Hypoparathyroidism is a major complication after thyroid surgery, due to damage to healthy parathyroid glands. Near infrared autofluorescence imaging and laser speckle contrast imaging have been shown to address the two causes of parathyroid function loss – accidental removal, and damage to the parathyroid blood supply respectively. Here, we present an instrument that combines both techniques to enable intraoperative parathyroid identification and viability assessment in real-time and without the need for contrast agents. The performance of the device was evaluated intraoperatively in patients undergoing thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy.