Dynamic hepatobiliary scintigraphy with gallbladder contractile stimulation is a valuable imaging technique that is often underutilised.

Also known as a ‘HIDA’ scan, a hepatobiliary scan evaluates hepatocellular function and the biliary system by tracing the production and flow of bile from the formative phase in the liver, and its passage through the biliary system into the small bowel.

 

Dynamic images of the liver, biliary tree, and gut are obtained, providing unique functional information which is not available by any other means. 

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Persistent Right Upper Quadrant Pain with Normal Ultrasound / MRCP 

 

One of the more common clinical scenarios in which hepatobiliary nuclear imaging is useful relates to patients who experience intermittent right upper quadrant pain but have no evidence of gallstones or biliary on standard anatomical imaging. 

 

There is growing evidence that hepatobiliary scanning allows accurate selection of patients who may benefit from cholecystectomy.

 

Our SPECT-CT scans are fully funded by ACC

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Clinical indications​

There are a number of clinical indications for heptobiliary including:

  • Functional biliary pain syndromes (biliary dyskinesia)
  • Post cholcystectomy pain syndrome
  • Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction
  • Biliary system patency
  • Assessment of biliary enteric bypass procedures (e.g. Kasai procedure)
  • Assessment of choledochal cysts
  • Acute cholecystitis
  • Bile leakage
  • Functional assessment of the liver before partial hepatectomy
  • Assessment of liver transplant
  • Afferent loop syndrome
  • Evaluation of abnormal gallbladder contraction (e.g. chronic cholecystitis)
  • Enterogastric (duodenogastric) reflux assessment
  • Esophageal bile reflux after gastrectomy

 

There is growing evidence that hepatobiliary scanning allows accurate selection of patients who may benefit from cholecystectomy.