Cholescintigram (HIDA, DISIDA, Liver Biliary)

Information for our Nuclear Medicine Patients

* Inform your physician if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Overview

This test evaluates liver function, hepatocyte clearance, liver parenchymal transit and biliary excretion as the radiopharmaceutical moves from the injection site to the small intestine.

Indications

Acute cholecystitis

Extrahepatic biliary tract obstruction

Post surgical biliary tract

Bile leaks

Biliary atresia and other congenital anomalies of the biliary tract

Liver transplants

Cholescintigram (HIDA, DISIDA, Liver Biliary)

A Cholescintigram study involves the use of a small amount of radioactive material. The level of radioactivity used is extremely low and has no side effects.

You will be positioned next to a special detector called a gamma camera. The camera does not produce any radiation. It will be placed close to the part of your body being imaged.

(Cholescintigram image)

Patient Preparation

No food or drink after midnight before the procedure.

Report to Union Hospital Admitting at least 15 minutes prior to appointment time.

Procedure

A small amount of radioactive material will be injected into a vein in your arm. Painless images will be obtained for approximately 1 to 2 hours. Delayed images may be needed 3 to 4 hours later. An injection of Kinevac, used to study the function of the gall bladder,

may be given during the procedure. Kinevac is not radioactive but may cause slight nausea or abdominal cramping. The side effects last only 2 – 3 minutes.

Further Information

Contact Terre Haute Medical Laboratory Nuclear Medicine, 812.238.7542