Contingent Royalty Liability - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012
Contingent Royalty Liability [Line Items]
Convertible promissory notes			$ 16,000,000
Cash consideration in exchange of agreement	25,000
Royalty percentage diverted to Royalty Realization IV, description	Company agreed to instruct Navidea to pay the 8% royalty due to the Company directly to Royalty Realization IV if and when such royalty is earned by the Company
Long-term contingent liability	$ 0	$ 16,000,000
Maximum [Member]
Contingent Royalty Liability [Line Items]
General partner equity ownership percentage	10.00%
Royalty Realization IV, LLC Royalty Agreement [Member]
Contingent Royalty Liability [Line Items]
Percentage of royalties on future sale	8.00%
Percentage of royalty payment to Royalty Realization IV	8.00%