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NIRAF-Guided Parathyroid Identification During Thyroidectomy
Sponsor: Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje
Summary
This is a single-site, two-component prospective study evaluating whether near-infrared autofluorescence (NIRAF) imaging can improve intraoperative identification of parathyroid glands during thyroidectomy and reduce postoperative hypocalcemia. The investigational platform is a modified wearable stereoscopic goggle system configured for label-free NIRAF imaging. Parathyroid tissue is excited with near-infrared light at approximately 780 nm and emits autofluorescence centered near 800 nm. No injected dye or external contrast agent is used. The goggles are used only during a brief mapping interval after thyroid exposure and for ex vivo interrogation of the resected thyroid specimen. Component A is a prospective observational run-in validation cohort of 30 adults undergoing thyroidectomy of any extent. NIRAF-positive foci on the intact thyroidectomy specimen are suture-marked and correlated with targeted pathology. Component B is a randomized clinical study of 250 adults undergoing total or completion thyroidectomy. Participants are randomized 1:1 to standard surgery or standard surgery plus brief in vivo NIRAF mapping, ex vivo specimen interrogation, and rescue autotransplantation when indicated. The primary outcome for Component B is transient biochemical hypocalcemia on postoperative day 1, defined using albumin-corrected serum calcium.
Official title: Near-Infrared Autofluorescence-Guided Parathyroid Identification During Thyroidectomy
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
280
Start Date
2026-06-01
Completion Date
2029-12-01
Last Updated
2026-06-01
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Wearable Near-Infrared Autofluorescence Imaging System
A modified Meta head-mounted stereoscopic goggle system configured for label-free near-infrared autofluorescence imaging. The system delivers near-infrared excitation at approximately 780 nm and detects parathyroid autofluorescence centered near 800 nm. No injected dye or external contrast agent is administered. The device is used briefly after thyroid exposure for in vivo mapping and after thyroid resection for ex vivo specimen interrogation.
Locations (1)
University Clinic Hospital
Skopje, North Macedonia