What is hida scan

A HIDA scan, also called cholescintigraphy or hepatobiliary scintigraphy, is an imaging test used to view the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and small intestine. The tracer travels through the bloodstream into the body parts listed above.

This article discusses HIDA scanning and outlines what a person can expect before, during, and after the procedure. After a person has fasted for 4 to 12 hours, they may be allowed clear fluids, but always check this with a doctor. Before undergoing the procedure, all individuals should tell their doctor about any medications and supplements they are taking.

For example, those who have had an X-ray using barium contrast material or who have taken a medication containing bismuth, such as Pepto-Bismol, in the days before the HIDA scan should let their doctor know. Both barium and bismuth can impact the outcome of the test. Pregnant women will not usually be given a HIDA scan as there may be a potential risk to the fetus. Breast-feeding women will be advised to avoid feeding their infant for several days following the scan to ensure the radioactive tracer has left their system.

Upon arrival at the hospital or clinic, a person will be asked to remove any jewelry and metal accessories. They may also be required to change into a hospital gown. If anyone experiences discomfort at any stage of the procedure, it is essential to tell the medical staff. Deep breathing may help alleviate discomfort.

Some people may be given more medications before, or during, the scan. For example, if the doctor orders a HIDA scan with cholecystokinin CCK , which is a hormone that causes the gallbladder to release bile, the person will be given the medication sincalide injection or Kinevac orally.

If the images from the scan are not clear, some people may need to undergo a second scan within 24 hours. HIDA scans vary in price. Author: Healthwise Staff.

Gabica MD - Family Medicine. Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.

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Why is this test done? How do you prepare for the test? How is the test done? What else should you know about the test? What happens after the test? Where can you learn more? Top of the page. What is it? The HIDA scan may be done to: Help find the cause of pain in the upper belly, especially if the pain is on the right side.

See how well the gallbladder is working. Find out if bile is leaking. Find anything that may be blocking the bile ducts. If you are breastfeeding, you may want to pump enough breast milk before the test to get through 1 to 2 days of feeding. The radioactive tracer used in this test can get into your breast milk and is not good for the baby.

Each picture takes about a minute. The gamma camera takes pictures continuously for about an hour. You'll need to keep still during the HIDA scan.

This can become uncomfortable, but you may find that you can lessen the discomfort by taking deep breaths and thinking about other things.

Tell your health care team if you're uncomfortable. The doctor watches the scan's progress on a monitor as the radioactive tracer moves through your body.

The HIDA scan stops when the doctor sees the radioactive tracer entering your small intestine. This typically takes approximately 1 hour. If your doctor doesn't see the radioactive tracer in your small intestine, you may receive a medication and undergo more scans later in the day.

In most cases you can go about your day after your HIDA scan. You'll likely still have some of the radioactive tracer in your body. The substance will leave your body through your urine over the next day or two. For this reason your doctor may ask that you:.

The doctor who knows how to read a HIDA scan image radiologist may discuss your results right away. In other cases the radiologist will send the results to your doctor, who will discuss them with you. HIDA scan images, as seen on a monitor, appear as regions of dark color and lighter or white areas.

The more dark color on the image, the greater amount of radioactive tracer was absorbed in that area. Dark color throughout the series of HIDA scan images indicates that the radioactive tracer was able to move freely through your liver, bile ducts, gallbladder and small intestine.

If the radioactive tracer wasn't seen in certain HIDA scan images, there may be a blockage or other problem. Give Research Contact. A HIDA scan can be used to diagnose several diseases and conditions, such as: Bile duct obstruction Bile leakage Congenital abnormalities in the bile ducts Gallbladder inflammation cholecystitis Gallstones Your doctor may use a HIDA scan as part of a test to measure the rate at which bile is released from your gallbladder gallbladder ejection fraction.

Risks and side effects of a HIDA scan may include: Allergic reaction to medications used to enhance the scan Bruising at the injection site Rash Tell your doctor if there's a chance you could be pregnant or if you're nursing. Mays The gallbladder is a small organ that sits underneath the liver.

It contains bile and digestive juice, and when you eat, the digestive juice releases from the gall bladder to help digest your food. Gallstones are not actually stones, they're solid material that form within the gallbladder that can lead to symptoms.

Gallstones can develop from patient's genes, their genetic makeup.