In Vivo Imaging of the Olfactory Epithelium Using Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy (NCT07546617) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
In Vivo Imaging of the Olfactory Epithelium Using Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy
United States36 participantsStarted 2026-07-01
Plain-language summary
This research is being done to better characterize the part of the nose that helps us smell. Currently, the only ways to study smell loss mostly rely on how people report it, rather than being able to see the underlying structures directly. In this study, we will use a special microscope (Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy (CLE)), originally developed for brain tissue, to look at the part of the nose that helps to detects smell. We hope to identify the tiny structures in that area and see how they might be different in people who have smell loss compared to those who do not.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Adults aged ≥18 years
* Undergoing endoscopic sinus or endonasal skull base surgery while under - general anesthesia where the nasal turbinate is accessible
* Able to complete study questionnaires and psychophysical smell testing
* Able to provide informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Known allergy or hypersensitivity to fluorescein
* Pregnancy
* Medical instability precluding participation
* Severe anatomic obstruction preventing safe access to the olfactory cleft and nasal turbinate
* Any other safety concern identified by the investigator
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Evaluate the feasibility of in vivo CLE imaging of the olfactory cleft and nasal turbinate and determine whether CLE features correlate with validated psychophysical olfactory testing and patient-reported quality-of-life measures.