Handheld laser speckle contrast imaging for intraoperative detection of parathyroid gland perfusion

Parathyroid gland blood supply disruption causes post-surgical complications in nearly half of thyroid surgeries. Assessment of parathyroid gland vascularity is thus critical to preserving parathyroid function. The previous study used laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) for parathyroid vascularity difference detection and showed reliability and promises that the LSCI device can provide during surgery. The current study takes a step forward and developed a handheld laser speckle contrast imaging device that had shown the ability to detect flow and distinguish vascular of parathyroids in vivo.