A cholescintigraphy or HIDA Scan is an imaging procedure done by nuclear medicine physicians to evaluate the health of, and diagnose issues with, the gallbladder, liver, or bile ducts. It’s an effective way to detect gallstones, tumors, the cause of jaundice, gallbladder disease, inflammation, or other blockages.
During a HIDA (Hepatobiliary Iminodiacetic Acid) Scan, you lie on your back while a radioactive tracer is injected into a vein in your arm to circulate through the blood and to the liver. The tracer or chemical is then excreted into the biliary system, where it disperses into the gallbladder as well as the intestines and bile ducts. A camera designed to sense radioactivity is then secured onto the abdomen of the patient and images of the organs are attained, which show where the radioactive chemical has reached. The process generally takes two hours.
Usually, if you have undergone an ultrasound on your gallbladder that produced inconclusive results, or you need to find out if your gallbladder is able to respond to natural stimuli, a HIDA scan is necessary.
Otherwise, if you are wondering if you need to undergo a HIDA scan in Livonia, Michigan it may be because you are having problems digesting certain foods, which would stem from an issue with the flow or production of bile. Symptoms related to gallstones, or gallstones blocking your common bile duct, may also mean you need a HIDA Scan. Some of those symptoms include:
- Dark urine
- Light-colored stool
- Pain in the upper-right side of your stomach (especially after meals, or that causes shortness of breath)
Prior to your HIDA scan, be sure to alert your medical staff of the medicines you are taking at the time, as you may need to temporarily stop taking them or adjust the number of times you take them before the scan. You’ll also be required to fast for 4-6 hours before coming in for the test. The rare case that a patient experiences complications after a HIDA scan is typically due to an allergic reaction to the radioactive tracer. Let your doctor know about any allergies you have prior to the test to avoid this problem.
Don’t wait to have your HIDA Scan done. Contact the Westland Medical Clinic or give us a call today at 734.728.2130