HEPATOBILIARY SCAN
Overview
A hepatobiliary scan is a nuclear imaging exam that uses a small amount of radioactive material to track the flow of biliary fluid through your system. This test will show if there are blockages in your gallbladder or bile ducts by visualizing how the tracer moves through these pathways. The scan can also assess whether your gallbladder is functioning properly by measuring how well it contracts when stimulated.
If your gallbladder has been removed, the test may be performed to detect leaks in the bile ducts and delayed bile flow into the small bowel, helping your doctor identify any complications from surgery or other biliary system issues.
Patient Testimonials
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Frequently Asked Questions
Expect to spend an average of 2.25 hours for this appointment.
A small amount of radioactive material will be injected into your body. This radioactive material will show the flow of biliary fluid. A technologist will begin taking pictures immediately after your injection. This initial image session may last up to an hour. If the technologist is unable to view the flow of the biliary fluid during that time, imaging will continue intermittently for up to an additional 3 hours.
Once the gallbladder is full of the radioactive tracer the technologist will give you a slow infusion of a hormone called CCK to make the gallbladder contract. If CCK is not available they may also use 8oz of Boost Plus. Calculating how much the gallbladder contracts after being stimulated is what tells us if the gallbladder is working properly or not.
Do not eat or drink anything four hours prior to your exam. Within 24 hours of your exam, you must eat a fatty meal. This could be a hamburger, fried food, ice cream, salad with extra salad dressing on it, etc. The fatty meals cause the gallbladder to contract that evening which usually helps it absorb the medicine we give you for the exam faster. If you are unable to eat a fatty meal please tell the scheduler when you make the appointment as extra time may need to be added to your exam.
Do not take narcotic pain medications for 24 hours prior to the exam. If you are currently taking narcotic pain medications please tell the scheduler.
Yes, the radioactive tracer used in this exam is safe and commonly used in nuclear medicine imaging. The amount of radiation exposure is minimal and comparable to other diagnostic imaging tests. The radioactive material leaves your body naturally through normal bodily functions.
Eating a fatty meal within 24 hours before your exam causes your gallbladder to contract naturally. This helps empty the gallbladder, allowing it to better absorb the radioactive tracer during the exam. Foods like hamburgers, fried foods, ice cream, or salad with extra dressing work well for this purpose.
You should avoid narcotic pain medications for 24 hours prior to the exam, as these can affect the results. If you’re currently taking narcotic pain medications, inform the scheduler when making your appointment. For other medications, consult with your doctor or the imaging center when scheduling.