Fluorescence Imaging of the Parathyroid Glands of Children

Amsterdam University Medical Centers (UMC), Location Academic Medical Center (AMC)23 enrolled

Overview

The aim of this study is to develop a standardized and user-independent imaging workflow model for autofluorescence and quantified fluorescence angiography with Indocyanine Green (ICG) of the parathyroid glands of children. For this purpose, all pediatric patients will undergo thyroid surgery with the use of autofluorescence and quantified ICG-fluorescence. This study could be the first step in reducing the rate of postoperative hypocalcemia in children, by using fluorescence angiography during pediatric thyroid surgery.

Background: Children with thyroid cancer have excellent survival rates. However, postoperative hypocalcemia, due to inadvertent excision of the parathyroid glands or damage to their vasculature during thyroid surgery, is a severe complication which occurs in 24% - 67% of the children with thyroid cancer and causes lifelong reduced quality of life and increased morbidity rates. In adults, intraoperative identification of the parathyroid glands with autofluorescence and assessment of their perfusion using quantified ICG-fluorescence angiography has shown to reduce postoperative hypocalcemia. However, in children no studies regarding quantified fluorescence of the parathyroid glands have been conducted. There is a clear need for surgical techniques to identify and preserve the parathyroid glands during thyroid surgery in children. Therefore, the aim of this study is to develop a standardized imaging workflow model for autofluorescence and quantified ICG-angiography of the parathyroid glands in children. This workflow model can be the first step in reducing the rate of postoperative hypocalcemia in children. Study design: This will be a prospective, observational, multicenter, feasibility study. The aim is to generate the patterns of intraoperative autofluorescence and quantified ICG-fluorescence angiography of the parathyroid glands in children, resulting in a user-independent, standardized imaging workflow model for autofluorescence and quantified ICG-angiography of the parathyroid glands of children.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

Conditions

Childhood Thyroid Gland Carcinoma

Interventions

Fluorescence imaging of the parathyroid glands of childrenDIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Patients that participate in this study will always receive standard care. For the purpose of this study, the camera settings (i.e. camera distance to the operating field, switching of OR-lights, and angle of the camera on the operating field) and ICG-protocol (i.e. dose, injection speed) will be standardized among the participating centers in order to generate an homogeneous data set for quantification of the fluorescence signal intensity.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMax age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Patients \<18 years 2. Patients undergoing total thyroidectomy (for any indication) 3. Patients undergoing lobectomy for the suspicion of a malignancy, with a subsequent completion thyroidectomy 4. Written informed consent (from parents/caregivers, patients or both, see chapter 6.0) Exclusion Criteria: 1. Patients with preoperative hypo - or hypercalcemia, treated for hypo- or hypercalcemia, (chronic) renal disease, kidney transplantation or any disorder that requires calcium supplementation (other than standard preoperative calcium supplementation for a total thyroidectomy). 2. Patients with known allergy to ICG or iodinated contrast 3. Pregnancy or breastfeeding 4. Patients with severe liver dysfunction 5. Preterm neonates 6. Newborn infants with an indication for exchange transfusion for severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Number and location of autofluorescent parathyroid glands

Time frame: During thyroid surgery

Quantification of the fluorescent signal of ICG