Overview. A hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan is an imaging procedure used to diagnose problems of the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts. For a HIDA scan, also known as cholescintigraphy or hepatobiliary scintigraphy, a radioactive tracer is injected into a vein in your arm.

How long does a hepatobiliary scan take?

A HIDA scan typically takes between one hour and one-and-a-half hours to complete. But it could take as little as a half hour and as much as four hours, depending on your body functions.

Why would a doctor order a HIDA scan?

Your doctor may order a HIDA scan to track the flow of bile from your liver to your small intestine, and also to evaluate your gallbladder. A HIDA scan can be used to diagnose several diseases and conditions, such as: Bile duct obstruction. Bile leakage.

Is a HIDA scan painful?

The HIDA scan itself is painless

, but you may feel a brief sting or pinch as the IV is placed in your arm. You may feel a brief pain in your belly as the medicine that stimulates your gallbladder starts to work. Anytime you’re exposed to radiation, there’s a small chance of damage to cells or tissue.

Are you put to sleep for a HIDA scan?

If not, the pictures of your gallbladder will be blurry, and you’ll have to do the scan again. You might also receive other medicines during the test to help the technician get better images of your gallbladder. Morphine is sometimes used. If so, you may feel very sleepy for a few hours.

What are the common signs and symptoms of biliary disease?

  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
  • Abdominal pain, especially in the upper right side of the abdomen under the rib cage.
  • Nausea or vomiting.
  • Loss of appetite, which may result in weight loss.
  • Fatigue.
  • Fever or chills.
  • Itching.
  • Light brown urine.

Can I drive home after a HIDA scan?

Plan for a responsible adult who can take you home after the scan. This person may drive you, or ride with you on a bus or taxi. You cannot drive yourself or take a bus or taxi by yourself. This is because we may give you a small dose of morphine to help us take pictures of your gall bladder.

How long does it take to get HIDA scan results?

A radiologist will interpret the images, write a report, and deliver the results to your doctor via the internal computer system. This process usually takes less than 24 hours.

What do you wear for a HIDA scan?

If you have any questions, the nuclear medicine staff will be happy to help you. Since imaging rooms can be chilly, please dress in warm, comfortable clothing without metal buttons, snaps or buckles. We will ask you to remove metal objects such as belt buckles, coins and keys.

What does a positive HIDA scan mean?

With cystic duct obstruction (cholecystitis), the HIDA scan shows nonvisualization (ie, considered positive) of the gallbladder at 60 minutes and uptake in the intestine as the bile is excreted directly into the duodenum. This finding has a sensitivity of 80-90% for acute cholecystitis.

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How long are you radioactive after a HIDA scan?

In most cases, you can go about your day after your scan. The small amount of radioactive tracer will lose its reactivity or pass through your urine and stool over the next day or two.

Is it normal to feel sick after a HIDA scan?

This hormone may cause short-lived side effects including abdominal cramping, pain, and nausea. Severe abdominal pain or nausea is uncommon, and the side effects tend to subside a few minutes after the injection is complete. Imaging during this portion of the exam lasts for 30 minutes.

What are the symptoms of a low functioning gallbladder?

Biliary dyskinesia occurs when the gallbladder has a lower-than-normal function. This condition may be related to ongoing gallbladder inflammation. Symptoms can include upper abdominal pain after eating, nausea, bloating, and indigestion. Eating a fatty meal may trigger symptoms.

Should I eat a fatty meal before a HIDA scan?

Do not eat for four hours before the HIDA scan. Water is okay. Eat a “fatty” meal the night before (e.g., drink a glass of whole milk). This will have the gallbladder ready for the study.

Is HIDA scan more accurate than ultrasound?

They concluded, however, that a HIDA scan is superior to ultrasound in diagnosing cholecystitis, having higher sensitivity, specificity and accuracy than ultrasound. May adds that in the opposite case the hepatobiliary scan is also superior to ultrasound.

Does a HIDA scan show pancreas?

an abdominal X-ray, a HIDA scan (uses radioactive material) can measure gallbladder emptying while an ERCP test uses an endoscope to place dye in the ducts of the pancreas, gallbladder and liver, and. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is sometimes used to detail the organ structures (liver, gallbladder, and pancreas).

What medications should you avoid before a HIDA scan?

Preparation. Nothing to eat or drink four hours prior to exam. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment with an order/prescription if your doctor has given one to you. No Morphine products or narcotic pain medications four hours before exam.

Can you take Tylenol before a HIDA scan?

Preparing for the Scan Do not eat or drink for 6 hours prior to the scan. Do not take any medications that contain Morphine, Demerol, or other opiates 24 hours prior to the scan. Tylenol or ibuprofen is allowed.

What is hepatobiliary surgery?

Hepatobiliary surgery covers procedures that treat disorders of the biliary system, which includes the liver, pancreas, gallbladder and bile duct. The biliary system regulates and produces bile, which is a fluid the body produces to help digest the fats in foods that have been eaten.

What are signs that your liver is not functioning properly?

  • Skin and eyes that appear yellowish (jaundice)
  • Abdominal pain and swelling.
  • Swelling in the legs and ankles.
  • Itchy skin.
  • Dark urine color.
  • Pale stool color.
  • Chronic fatigue.
  • Nausea or vomiting.

What color is your poop if you have gallbladder problems?

Liver and gallbladder disorders Gallstones or sludge in the gallbladder reduce the amount of bile that reaches your intestines. Not only may this cause pain, but it can also turn your stool yellow.

Can a blood test tell if you have gallbladder problems?

Gallbladder problems are diagnosed through various tests. These may include: Liver tests, which are blood tests that can show evidence of gallbladder disease. A check of the blood’s amylase or lipase levels to look for inflammation of the pancreas.

Can you have a HIDA scan without a gallbladder?

For people without a gallbladder a HIDA scan is done to display liver and ductal clearance of the bile and to check for bile leaks. After your exam is complete, a radiologist will review your images, prepare a written report, and discuss the results with your doctor.

Is a HIDA scan the same as a CT scan?

HIDA scan had a greater sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in diagnosing acute cholecystitis when compared to US and CT. Conclusion: US is the preferred initial modality in evaluation of cholecystitis because US is more readily available and less costly.

What does it mean if your gallbladder doesn't show up on a HIDA scan?

GB not visualized: If the gallbladder is not visualized within 4 hours after the injection it indicates that there is either cholecystitis or cystic duct obstruction. HIDA scan for acute cholecystitis has a sensitivity of 97%, Specificity of 94%. Tracer not visualized in intestines means common bile duct obstruction.

What does an inflamed gallbladder feel like?

If your gallbladder is inflamed, you may have pain in the upper right or mid-portion of the abdomen and you may be tender to the touch there. Bile is made in the liver. The gallbladder stores bile and pushes it into the small intestine where it is used to help digest food.

What is the difference between MRCP and HIDA scan?

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography can be used to determine the cause and location of biliary obstruction but is limited in the detection of small stones and the evaluation of the biliary tract near the ampulla. HIDA is used to evaluate for cholecystitis, biliary obstruction, and bile leaks.

Can a bad gallbladder make you tired?

Narrowed bile ducts from scar tissue can keep the bile from flowing out of your liver and gallbladder into the small intestine. That can make you hurt on the right side of your abdomen where the organs are. You also might be itchy or tired, have a lack appetite, and have jaundice, night sweats, or a fever.

What should I avoid eating with gallbladder problems?

  • Fried foods.
  • Highly processed foods (doughnuts, pie, cookies)
  • Whole-milk dairy products (cheese, ice cream, butter)
  • Fatty red meat.

Can a bad gallbladder make you dizzy?

Weakness, dizziness. Dark urine or light colored stools. Yellow color of the skin or eyes. Chest, arm, back, neck or jaw pain.

What should I eat the night before HIDA scan?

Prior to bedtime, the night before the test, please eat a candy bar, power bar or drink a glass of whole milk. You must fast 6 hours before the exam. Please hold narcotic medications 4 hours prior to test.