Nuclear Medicine Scan of Hepatic - Hida Scan Item 2

What Is a Hepatic HIDA Scan (Item 2)?

A hepatic HIDA scan (short for hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid scan, the specific test referenced as Item 2 in your imaging order) is a type of nuclear medicine imaging that uses a very small, safe dose of radioactive tracer injected into a vein in your arm. This tracer is absorbed by healthy liver cells, then travels through your bile ducts into your gallbladder and eventually into your small intestine, allowing your care team to watch real-time bile flow through your entire biliary system. The test does not use contrast dye, does not require you to be in a tight enclosed space, and carries no claustrophobia risk, with the active scanning portion taking approximately 10 minutes once the tracer is administered.

Pre-Appointment Preparation

There are no special preparation requirements for this specific HIDA scan item, so you can eat and drink normally before your appointment unless your care team provides additional specific instructions. You will only be asked to remove metal objects from your abdomen area, such as belts, zippers, or jewelry, to avoid interfering with image quality. No fasting, medication adjustments, or other pre-test steps are needed for this exam.

What to Expect During Your Scan

First, a member of your care team will inject the small dose of radioactive tracer into a vein in your arm, a quick and painless process that feels similar to a routine blood draw. You will then lie flat on an imaging table while a special gamma camera positioned above your abdomen takes pictures of the tracer as it moves through your liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts over the 10-minute scanning period. You will only need to lie still during the scan, can breathe normally throughout, and there is no enclosed or tight-fitting equipment involved, so there is no risk of claustrophobia during this test.

Clinical Uses for This Gastrointestinal System Imaging

This HIDA scan is used to diagnose a wide range of gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary conditions, including inflammation or infection of the gallbladder (acute or chronic cholecystitis), blockages in the bile ducts, leaks in the biliary system after surgery or injury, and poor gallbladder function (biliary dyskinesia). It is also commonly used to evaluate abnormal liver function test results, confirm whether gallstones are blocking bile flow, and assess how well the biliary system is working before or after abdominal surgery.