Hepatobiliary (HIDA) Scan

A hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan is a procedure that evaluates gallbladder function, suspicious right upper stomach pain, and acute cholecystitis, an obstruction of the bile duct. Click here for more information about gallbladder disease risk factors, symptoms and treatment options.

What to Bring

• Your medical provider order (Your medical provider may have already sent this to us.)
• Personal ID
• Insurance card

How to Prepare

• Before bedtime, the night before the test, please eat a candy bar or power bar, or drink a glass of whole milk.
• You must fast 6 hours before the exam.
• Please do not take narcotic medications 4 hours before the test.
• Please inform the imaging technologist if you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant.
• If you wear an on-body device (insulin pump, insulin regulators, Neulasta, other chemo/insulin devices, etc.), you must inform your technologist.

What to Expect

• The imaging technologist will explain the test and answer any questions you might have.
• You will be lying on your back on an examination table or stretcher for images to be taken.
• You will be given a small amount of radioactive tracer (the imaging agent) in your vein. There are no side effects to the injection.
• After the injection of the imaging agent, you will have images taken for approximately 60 minutes.
• If your medical provider has ordered a gallbladder ejection fraction (measures bile release), the technologist will give you an infusion through an IV for 30 minutes.
• The exam may take 1-2 hours total.

After the Exam

• You may resume any medication as prescribed.
• Your study will be reviewed by a radiologist, and the results will be sent to your medical provider. Your medical provider will discuss these results with you.

Schedule an Appointment

Call North Oaks Scheduling at (985) 230-7777 between 7 am and 5:30 pm.

If you are a provider and need to send an order, please fax it to (985) 230-6781.