How is a HIDA test performed?

During a HIDA scan, a camera takes pictures of your gallbladder after a radioactive tracer is injected into a vein in your arm. The tracer travels through your liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and small intestine. The camera takes a series of pictures of the tracer as it moves along.

How do I prepare for a HIDA scan?

How to prepare for a HIDA scan

  1. Fast for four hours prior to your HIDA scan. Your doctor may allow you to drink clear liquids.
  2. Inform your doctor about all medications and supplements you are taking.
  3. Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Can I listen to music during a HIDA scan?

There are no lasting side effects to be concerned about after a HIDA Scan. MP3 player and headphones if desired, as listening to music will not interfere with the exam. Wear comfortable clothing to your appointment.

How do I read my HIDA scan results?

Results

  1. Normal: This means the tracer moved freely from the liver into the gallbladder and small intestine.
  2. Slow movement: If the tracer moved slowly through the body, this might suggest an obstruction or blockage in the gallbladder or bile duct, or it indicates below optimal liver function.

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.

Can you 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 results from HIDA scan?

How soon will the scan results be available? 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.

How long do HIDA scan results take?

What does a positive HIDA scan mean?

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. Gallstones.

Can a HIDA scan miss gallbladder problems?

HIDA Scan. If a diagnosis of gallbladder disease is not certain after an ultrasound, a HIDA scan may be performed. This test allows for the visualization of bile movement through the bile duct system.

Can you have gallbladder problems with a normal HIDA scan?

Of 41 patients with a normal HIDA scan, 57% had SOD; of 40 patients with an abnormal HIDA scan, 50% had SOD. Data from this study suggest that both SOD and gallbladder dysfunction are common in this group of patients and appear to occur independently of one another.

How long does it take to get results from a HIDA scan?

What do you need to know about the HIDA scan?

HIDA scan is an imaging procedure that helps your doctor track the production and flow of bile from your liver to your small intestine. Bile is a fluid produced by your liver that helps your digestive system break down fats in the foods you eat.

What does Hida stand for in medical terms?

A HIDA scan, which stands for hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid scan, creates pictures of your liver, gallbladder, biliary tract and small intestine. A HIDA scan can also be called cholescintigraphy, hepatobiliary scintigraphy or hepatobiliary scan.

Can a woman breast feed during a HIDA scan?

In most cases nuclear medicine tests, such as the HIDA scan, aren’t performed in pregnant women because of potential harm to the fetus. Women who are breast-feeding may need to stop for a few days after the HIDA scan. The amount of radioactive tracer injected into your arm during a HIDA scan is very small.

How much does a HIDA scan cost for a pregnant woman?

Make sure to alert your doctor if there’s a chance you could be pregnant or if you’re breastfeeding. Doctors will usually not perform tests involving radiation exposure on pregnant women because it could harm your unborn baby. How much does it cost? According to Healthcare Bluebook, the fair price for a HIDA scan is $1,120.