New Hand-Held imager aims to prevent accidental parathyroid damage in thyroid surgery
NCT ID NCT06939946
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This early study tested a hand-held imaging device to help surgeons identify parathyroid glands during thyroid surgery. The parathyroid glands are small and hard to see, and if accidentally removed or damaged, can cause low calcium levels and other complications. The device uses auto-fluorescence and sometimes a green dye to make the glands visible. The study enrolled 20 adults having thyroid surgery, but was terminated early, so results are limited.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Parathyroid auto-fluorescence imaging device (Hand-Held Imager) and Indocyanine green (ICG) dye
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this device could help surgeons better identify parathyroid glands during thyroid surgery, potentially reducing accidental removal or damage and lowering complication rates.
- What could go wrong
- This was a very early, small feasibility study that was terminated, so results are limited. The device may not improve outcomes significantly, and ICG dye carries a small risk of allergic reaction.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Johns Hopkins Hospital
Baltimore, Maryland, 21287, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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