What is a gallbladder scan and how it done?
What is a Gallbladder Scan?
A gallbladder scan, also known as a hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan, is a nuclear medicine imaging procedure that helps diagnose gallbladder and biliary tract disorders, such as gallstones, cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder), and biliary atresia (a rare condition in which bile ducts are not fully formed).
The scan involves the injection of a radioactive substance called a radiotracer, which is taken up by the liver and excreted into the gallbladder and bile ducts. A special gamma camera is then used to capture images of the radiotracer's movement, providing information about the functioning of these organs.
How is a Gallbladder Scan Done?
A gallbladder scan typically involves the following steps:
1. Radiotracer Injection: First, a small amount of radioactive tracer is injected into a vein in your arm. This tracer is called iminodiacetic acid (IDA), and it will travel through your bloodstream to your liver.
2. Concentration in the Gallbladder: The IDA will be carried by the liver to the gallbladder, where it will concentrate and be stored.
3. Stimulation of Gallbladder Contraction: After a certain period, you will be given an injection of cholecystokinin (CCK), a hormone that causes the gallbladder to contract. CCK stimulates the gallbladder to release its stored IDA into the bile ducts.
4. Imaging with Gamma Camera: A special gamma camera is used to capture images of the radioactive tracer moving through your gallbladder and bile ducts. The camera detects the gamma rays emitted from the tracer, allowing the doctor to visualize the gallbladder's function.
5. Observation and Monitoring: You may be asked to change positions and breathe deeply to obtain different angles and images of the gallbladder and bile ducts. Overall, the procedure usually lasts for about an hour or so.
6. Post-Procedure: Following the scan, you will be allowed to resume your normal activities. The radioactive tracer naturally leaves your body through urine and stool within a few days.
It's important to follow your doctor's instructions and answer any questions they may have about your symptoms and medical history. Your doctor will then use the scan images and other relevant information to make an accurate diagnosis and recommend the appropriate treatment plan, if necessary.