Laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) is a contrast-free optical method offering quantitative assessment of superficial blood vessel vascularity. Its clinical significance is evident in intraoperative scenarios, particularly for assessing parathyroid gland viability in thyroid surgery. Despite notable sensitivity and specificity, conventional overhead LSCI methods, characterized by bulky designs, present integration challenges in surgical procedures. To address these limitations, we developed a miniaturized handheld LSCI probe, enhancing portability and maneuverability. A validation assessment compared the handheld system with an overhead LSCI setup for detecting vascularity in parathyroid glands in parathyroidectomy surgeries. Results from comparisons with the established overhead LSCI system, combined with evaluations by an experienced surgeon, underscore the handheld LSCI system's effectiveness in human parathyroid gland vascularity classification. This study's findings offer valuable insights into the performance and clinical utility of the newly developed miniaturized handheld LSCI system.
|