Gallbladder Scan

Hepatobiliary Scan, HIDA Scan, Nuclear Scan, Gallbladder, Scan, Gallbladder

Test Overview

A gallbladder scan is a nuclear scanning test that is done to evaluate gallbladder function. It can find blockage in the tubes (bile ducts) that lead from the liver to the gallbladder and small intestine (duodenum). See a picture of the gallbladder and the duodenum .

During a gallbladder scan, a radioactive tracer substance is injected into a vein in the arm. The liver removes the tracer from the bloodstream and adds it to the bile that normally flows through the bile ducts to the gallbladder. The gallbladder then releases the tracer into the beginning of the small intestine. A special camera (gamma) takes pictures of the tracer as it moves through the liver, bile ducts, gallbladder, and small intestine.

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Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS	Last Updated: October 24, 2008
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Myo Min Han, MD - Nuclear Medicine
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