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HIDA scan (cholescintigraphy): Why is it performed?

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HIDA scan (cholescintigraphy): Why is it performed?

Question

What is a HIDA scan?

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Answer

A hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan helps evaluate the function of the gallbladder and the bile ducts. Doctors may also refer to this procedure as cholescintigraphy.

In preparation for a HIDA scan, a dye or other chemical (radioactive tracer) is injected into your vein. The tracer travels to your liver and then into the bile ducts. A special scanner placed over your abdomen tracks the movement of the tracer through your biliary tract and makes images of the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts.

A HIDA scan is used to diagnose:

  • Obstruction of the bile ducts, such as due to gallstones or rarely, tumors
  • Diseases of the gallbladder
  • Bile leaks

Last Updated: 11/22/2006
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