Parathyroid identification during thyroid and parathyroid operations: A pilot study evaluating a novel low cost autofluorescence based device.

Background: The aim of this study was to develop a low-cost prototype near-infrared fluorescence device that enables contrast-free, real time, high-resolution intraoperative visualization of normal and pathological parathyroid glands (PGs) by imaging their autofluorescence (AF).

Methods: A novel near-infrared parathyroid AF (NIR-PAF) imaging device with visible laser PG targeting was developed. The device was evaluated during parathyroid and thyroid operations in a pilot clinical study.