Nuclear Medicine Scan of Hepatic - Biliary Obstruction Hida

What Is a HIDA Scan for Biliary Obstruction?

A HIDA (hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid) scan for biliary obstruction is a specialized nuclear medicine imaging test that uses a very small, safe dose of radioactive tracer injected into a vein in your arm. The tracer travels through your bloodstream to your liver, where it is processed by liver cells and then moves into your bile ducts and gallbladder, allowing the imaging team to capture real-time, dynamic images of how bile flows through your biliary system to identify any areas of blockage. This test does not require any special preparation, does not use contrast dye, has no claustrophobia risk, and the entire imaging process takes roughly 10 minutes to complete.

Common Clinical Applications for Gastrointestinal Symptoms

This scan is ordered by your healthcare provider to evaluate a wide range of gastrointestinal and biliary symptoms and conditions, including unexplained right upper abdominal pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), persistent nausea, vomiting, or abnormal blood test results showing elevated liver enzymes or bilirubin levels. It is commonly used to diagnose gallstones blocking the cystic duct or common bile duct, acute or chronic cholecystitis (inflammation or infection of the gallbladder), bile duct strictures, or complications from prior gallbladder or biliary surgery, and can also help assess overall liver function in people with known liver disease.

What to Expect During Your Appointment

When you arrive for your appointment, a member of the nuclear medicine team will inject the radioactive tracer into a vein in your arm, a quick process that feels like a small pinch and causes no significant discomfort. You will then lie flat on an imaging table while a non-enclosing gamma camera takes pictures of your liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts as the tracer moves through your biliary system; because the camera does not surround your body, there is no risk of feeling claustrophobic during the 10-minute scan. You may be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds at a time while images are taken to keep them clear, and you can resume all normal eating, drinking, and activity levels immediately after the test is finished, as the small amount of tracer leaves your body naturally within 24 hours.