The period for amortization of principal and interest.

No definition available.

Name:	clsn_AmortizationPeriodForPrincipalAndInterest
Namespace Prefix:	clsn_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of classification of warrants to (from) common stock warrant liability after tax.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	clsn_ClassificationOfWarrantsToFromCommonStockWarrantLiabilityNet
Namespace Prefix:	clsn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of common stock warrant liability.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	clsn_CommonStockWarrantLiability
Namespace Prefix:	clsn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount recognized in earnings related to the change in fair value during the period of common stock warrant liability.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	clsn_GainLossFromChangeInValuationOfCommonStockWarrantLiability
Namespace Prefix:	clsn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The percent associated with the fees incurred on borrowings from lines of credit.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	clsn_LineOfCreditFacilityOriginalLoanFeePercent
Namespace Prefix:	clsn_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of amortization expense attributable to debt issuance costs.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28555-108399

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03(8))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04(8))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Exercise price per share or per unit of warrants or rights outstanding.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(i)(4))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of securities into which each warrant or right may be converted. For example, but not limited to, each warrant may be converted into two shares.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByEachWarrantOrRight
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount, after accumulated amortization, of debt discount.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28541-108399

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930739&loc=d3e28878-108400

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, before accumulated amortization, of debt issuance costs. Includes, but is not limited to, legal, accounting, underwriting, printing, and registration costs.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, after accumulated amortization, of debt issuance costs. Includes, but is not limited to, legal, accounting, underwriting, printing, and registration costs.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Period the instrument, asset or liability is expected to be outstanding, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (bbb)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66048111&loc=d3e19207-110258

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Measure of dispersion, in percentage terms (for instance, the standard deviation or variance), for a given stock price.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Risk-free interest rate assumption used in valuing an instrument.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of increase (decrease) in operating assets classified as other.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of the cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest expense for debt.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.8)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of business during the period. The cash portion only of the acquisition price.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Investing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3213-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of cash inflow from contractual arrangement with the lender, including but not limited to, letter of credit, standby letter of credit and revolving credit arrangements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Financing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3255-108585

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(f))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromLinesOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of cash outflow for payment of an obligation from a lender, including but not limited to, letter of credit, standby letter of credit and revolving credit arrangements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3291-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Financing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(f))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Price of a single share of a number of saleable stocks of a company.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SharePrice
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis=clsn_HerculesWarrantMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis=clsn_FirstFiftyPercentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis=clsn_SecondFiftyPercentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=clsn_EGENIncMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=clsn_HerculesCreditAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CounterpartyNameAxis=clsn_HerculesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Note 8 - Notes Payable (Details Textual) - USD ($)						1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			26 Months Ended	38 Months Ended
Note 8 - Notes Payable (Details Textual) - USD ($)	Jun. 20, 2014	Jun. 10, 2014	Jun. 10, 2014	Jun. 09, 2014	Nov. 25, 2013	Dec. 31, 2016	Nov. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 10, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 15, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 17, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate						11.75%						11.50%
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights						$ 1.88					$ 1.88		$ 6.37		$ 1.88	$ 8.18
Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets											$ 733,186		$ (257,702)
Gain (Loss) From Change In Valuation Of Common Stock Warrant Liability													(61,246)
Common Stock Warrant Liability								$ 0
Hercules Warrant [Member]
Debt Issuance Costs, Net																	$ 521,763
Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate			104.00%
Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate			1.69%
Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term			4 years 182 days
Share Price				$ 3.07
Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets									$ (521,763)
Gain (Loss) From Change In Valuation Of Common Stock Warrant Liability								(18,018)					(61,246)
Classification of Warrants to (from) Common Stock Warrant Liability Net								$ (336,254)
Hercules Warrant [Member] \| First Fifty Percent [Member]
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount									$ 260,928
Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Each Warrant or Right									97,493
Hercules Warrant [Member] \| Second Fifty Percent [Member]
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount				$ 215,333
Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Each Warrant or Right				97,493
EGEN Inc [Member]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	$ 3,000,000
Hercules Credit Agreement [Member]
Repayments of Lines of Credit							$ 4,000,000
Interest Expense, Debt											486,327		918,465
Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs											236,666		$ 438,717
Hercules Credit Agreement [Member] \| Hercules Warrant [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights					$ 3.59
Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate					102.00%
Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate					1.37%
Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term					5 years
Share Price					$ 3.55
Line of Credit Facility Original Loan Fee Percent								3.50%
Debt Issuance Costs, Gross								$ 350,000
Hercules Credit Agreement [Member] \| Hercules Warrant [Member] \| First Fifty Percent [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Each Warrant or Right					97,493
Hercules Credit Agreement [Member] \| Hercules Warrant [Member] \| Second Fifty Percent [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Each Warrant or Right		97,493	97,493							97,493
Hercules Credit Agreement [Member] \| EGEN Inc [Member]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross		$ 3,000,000
Hercules [Member]
Repayments of Lines of Credit		$ 5,000,000
Hercules [Member] \| Hercules Credit Agreement [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity							20,000,000
Proceeds from Lines of Credit				$ 5,000,000			5,000,000			$ 10,000,000
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate														11.25%
Amortization Period for Principal and Interest															2 years 180 days
Debt Issuance Costs, Net						$ 122,378					$ 122,378				$ 122,378
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount							$ 230,000