Cholescintigraphy Information

This is a nuclear medicine test that is done to diagnose problems with the bile ducts and gallbladder. This test is also called a gallbladder scan or HDA scan. Some of the conditions that can be diagnosed with this test include bile leaks, gallbladder tumors, or gallstones. If a doctor suspects one of these programs, the HDA scan can be used to confirm a suspected diagnosis or help the doctor focus on investigating another cause of your symptoms.

During this test, a radioactive chemical will be injected into one of your veins through an IV line. The liver removes this chemical from the blood and secretes it into the bile. Everywhere the bile travels, this chemical will travel with it. This includes the gallbladder, bile ducts, and the intestine. Pictires of the liver, bile ducts, and gallbladder are obtained with a camera that senses radioactivity. This entire procedure takes approximately two hours, but may take more or less time depending on testing conditions.

This test allows doctors to follow bile through the body and determine if a problem exists. If the chemical is not found in the liver, there may be problems with the liver. Diseases such as hepatitis can cause liver function to decline. If the chemical appears in the liver but does not enter the bile ducts, there may be a bile duct obstruction present. This type of obstruction prevents the bile from entering the bile ducts. Tumors and gallstones may cause this type of obstruction. If the chemical appears anywhere outside of the liver, bile ducts, or gallbladder, there may be a bile leak that is causing problems. Cholescintigraphy is often used when other diagnostic tests have been normal and a more thorough test is needed to determine if there is a problem.

There can be some side effects to this diagnostic test. The most common is sensitivity to the radioactive material that is used during the test. However, this is rare.