Use of DRS probe and tracking for in-vivo endocrine surgery v 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Using a diffuse reflectance spectroscopy probe in-vivo to differentiate normal and diseased tissues in endocrine surgery
IRAS ID
341927
Contact name
Aimee Di Marco
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Thyroid nodules are common – however, differentiating benign from malignant nodules is challenging. Despite investigation, a subset of nodules are deemed "indeterminate"; for such patients diagnostic surgery is recommended. In some patients this will have been unnecessary (if histology confirms a benign nodule), and in others it will have been inadequate to treat their cancer, and they will subsequently require a completion thyroidectomy. Furthermore surgery carries risks such as hypocalcaemia, which occurs due to inadvertent devascularisation of the nearby parathyroid glands.
Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) is a technique that allows discrimination of normal and abnormal tissue and presents a promising advancement in detection of cancer, and tissue hypoxia. Light emitted using a DRS probe is absorbed and scattered by different structures within tissue, and emitted back to the probe. Assessment of the wavelength and intensity of this collected light allows different tissue types and oxygenation to be distinguished based on spectral data.
We have developed an optical tracking system to overcome single-point spectral measurements, for use intra-operatively to aid diagnosis of malignancy, margin assessment, and assessment of parathyroid gland viability. This system is able to process thousands of spectra in a small timeframe, which can provide information on the above factors in real-time.
A benchtop ex-vivo study on upper GI specimens has successfully tested these approaches, and a similar study is currently underway to assess this approach in endocrine surgery. Pilot data from this study has demonstrated promising results.
Participants undergoing elective endocrine surgery at Imperial NHS Trust will be recruited by the clinical team through clinic. Patients willing to participate in the study will be consented. The study involves a probe emitting harmless visible light being used on the area of interest during the operation. This should not interfere with the operation being carried out, and will take 5-15mins in total.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Sheffield Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/YH/0257
Date of REC Opinion
24 Jan 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion