How do I read my HIDA scan results?

If the results show that your scan was “normal,” your gallbladder is working like it should and is an average size and shape. A normal test result also means that your liver and small intestine are healthy. If your scan was “abnormal,” it likely means your images revealed one of the following: An infection.

How do I read my HIDA scan results?

If the results show that your scan was “normal,” your gallbladder is working like it should and is an average size and shape. A normal test result also means that your liver and small intestine are healthy. If your scan was “abnormal,” it likely means your images revealed one of the following: An infection.

Which is another term for cholescintigraphy?

For a HIDA scan, also known as cholescintigraphy or hepatobiliary scintigraphy, a radioactive tracer is injected into a vein in your arm. The tracer travels through your bloodstream to your liver, where the bile-producing cells take it up.

What can be diagnosed with a HIDA scan?

A HIDA, or hepatobiliary, scan is a diagnostic test. It’s used to capture images of the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and small intestine to help diagnose medical conditions related to those organs. Bile is a substance that helps digest fat.

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 is a normal HIDA scan result?

HIDA scan results can be classed as: Normal: This means the tracer moved freely from the liver into the gallbladder and small intestine.

What are normal HIDA scan results?

A normal result means that the gallbladder is visualized within 1 hour of the injection and the tracer is in the small intestine. 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.

What happens when your gallbladder is not functioning properly?

Nausea and vomiting may occur. Chronic gallbladder disease involves gallstones and mild inflammation. In such cases, the gallbladder may become scarred and stiff. Symptoms of chronic gallbladder disease include complaints of gas, nausea and abdominal discomfort after meals and chronic diarrhea.

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.

What does cholescintigraphy stand for?

Cholescintigraphy or hepatobiliary scintigraphy is scintigraphy of the hepatobiliary tract, including the gallbladder and bile ducts. The image produced by this type of medical imaging, called a cholescintigram, is also known by other names depending on which radiotracer is used, such as HIDA scan, PIPIDA scan,…

What is cholescintigraphy (HIDA scan)?

What is cholescintigraphy (HIDA scan)? Cholescintigraphy is a test done by nuclear medicine physicians to diagnose obstruction of the bile ducts (for example, by a gallstone or a tumor ), disease of the gallbladder, and bile leaks. It sometimes is referred to as a HIDA scan or a gallbladder scan. How is cholescintigraphy (HIDA scan) done?

When are Cholescintigraphic scans used as a first-line of imaging?

Use of cholescintigraphic scans as a first-line form of imaging varies depending on indication. For example for cholecystitis, cheaper and less invasive ultrasound imaging may be preferred, while for bile reflux cholescintigraphy may be the first choice.

How is cholescintigraphy used to diagnose gallbladder problems?

Cholescintigraphy is most commonly used to diagnose problems with the gallbladder when other more commonly-performed tests, particularly ultrasonography, are normal or non-diagnostic. Cholescintigraphy can be modified with the addition of an intravenous injection of cholecystokinin, the hormone that is normally released by the body after a meal.