Nuclear Hepatobiliary Tests
Instructions for Your Test or Procedure
NOTE: We are pleased to provide standard instructions regarding your test or procedure. Please contact your physician to discuss your individual needs and medical circumstances before you proceed.
Nuclear Medicine Hepatobiliary Procedure
Hepatobiliary Scan (Gall Bladder Ejection Fraction, HIDA scan, Gallbladder Study)
The Day Before Your Procedure
Please consult with your doctor as most patients are required to go without eating or drinking anything for up to 24 hours before the procedure.
Do not take any pain medications for 24 hours before the procedure.
The Day of Your Procedure
Do not eat or drink at least four hours before study, but no more than 24 hours.
Do not take any pain medications before the procedure.
Please arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment.
An IV line will be placed in your arm.
You will be positioned on the imaging table. The imaging will start with the injection of radioactive material, which will take approximately one hour. An injection pump will be attached to the IV line and CCK (cholecystokinen) will then be injected over a 30 minute period while imaging resumes. CCK is used to make the gallbladder contract.
You may use the rest room at various times throughout the test.
Total imaging time will be approximately two hours
Liver or Spleen Scan (Liver SPECT)
The Day of Your Procedure
Please arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment.
You will be injected with a radioactive material.
SPECT images of the abdomen are started at 10 minutes following injection.
The scan takes approximately 45 minutes.
MUGA (Gated wall motion, equilibrium Gated Cardiac)
The Day of Your Procedure
Please arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment.
An IV line will be placed in your arm.
You will have blood drawn for tagging to radioactive material and then you will be re-injected 30 minutes later.
Three EKG leads will be placed gently, with adhesive, on your chest.
The radioactive blood will be re-injected through the IV line.
Three images of the heart will be acquired, each taking approximately 15 minutes.
The total imaging time will be approximately one-and-a-half hours.
