Cholescintigraphy: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 01:19, 6 March 2025

Cholescintigraphy[edit]

Cholescintigraphy, also known as a Hepatobiliary Iminodiacetic Acid (HIDA) scan, is a diagnostic imaging procedure used to evaluate the health and function of the gallbladder and the biliary tract. This nuclear medicine test involves the intravenous injection of a radioactive tracer, which is taken up by the liver and excreted into the bile. The movement of the tracer is then tracked using a gamma camera to assess the function of the gallbladder and the patency of the bile ducts.

Procedure[edit]

The procedure begins with the intravenous administration of a radiopharmaceutical agent, typically a technetium-99m labeled iminodiacetic acid derivative. The patient is positioned under a gamma camera, which captures images of the tracer as it moves through the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and into the small intestine.

The test is often performed over a period of 1 to 2 hours, during which time the patient may be asked to change positions to facilitate imaging. In some cases, a hormone called cholecystokinin (CCK) may be administered to stimulate gallbladder contraction, allowing for the assessment of gallbladder ejection fraction.

Indications[edit]

Cholescintigraphy is primarily used to diagnose conditions such as:

Acute cholecystitis: Inflammation of the gallbladder, often due to gallstones.
Chronic cholecystitis: Long-term inflammation of the gallbladder.
Biliary atresia: A condition in infants where bile ducts are blocked or absent.
Bile leak: Leakage of bile from the biliary system, often after surgery.
Biliary dyskinesia: Abnormal motility of the gallbladder.

Interpretation[edit]

The results of a cholescintigraphy scan are interpreted by a nuclear medicine specialist. Normal results show the tracer moving from the liver into the gallbladder and then into the small intestine. Abnormal results may indicate:

Non-visualization of the gallbladder, suggesting acute cholecystitis.
Delayed tracer uptake, indicating chronic cholecystitis or biliary obstruction.
Absence of tracer in the small intestine, suggesting a bile duct obstruction.

Advantages and Limitations[edit]

Cholescintigraphy is a non-invasive and highly sensitive test for detecting gallbladder and biliary tract disorders. It provides functional information that other imaging modalities, such as ultrasound or CT scan, may not offer.

However, the test has limitations, including:

Exposure to a small amount of radiation.
Potential for allergic reactions to the radiopharmaceutical.
Limited anatomical detail compared to other imaging techniques.

Related pages[edit]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Short description|A nuclear medicine imaging technique for the gallbladder and bile ducts}}
+== Cholescintigraphy ==
-'''Cholescintigraphy''', also known as '''hepatobiliary scintigraphy''' or a '''HIDA scan''', is a diagnostic imaging technique used in [[nuclear medicine]] to evaluate the health and function of the [[gallbladder]] and the [[biliary system]]. This procedure involves the intravenous injection of a radioactive tracer, which is then taken up by the liver and excreted into the bile. The movement of the tracer through the biliary system is captured using a gamma camera, providing valuable information about the function and structure of the gallbladder and bile ducts.
+[[File:HIDA.jpg|thumb|right|A HIDA scan showing normal bile flow.]]
-==Procedure==
+'''Cholescintigraphy''', also known as a '''Hepatobiliary Iminodiacetic Acid (HIDA) scan''', is a diagnostic imaging procedure used to evaluate the health and function of the [[gallbladder]] and the [[biliary tract]]. This nuclear medicine test involves the intravenous injection of a radioactive tracer, which is taken up by the liver and excreted into the bile. The movement of the tracer is then tracked using a gamma camera to assess the function of the gallbladder and the patency of the bile ducts.
-[[File:HIDA.jpg|A HIDA scan showing normal gallbladder function|thumb|right]]
-The procedure begins with the intravenous administration of a radiopharmaceutical, commonly a technetium-99m-labeled compound such as [[technetium-99m]] mebrofenin or [[technetium-99m]] disofenin. These compounds are selectively taken up by the liver and excreted into the bile. The patient is positioned under a gamma camera, which detects the gamma rays emitted by the tracer and creates images of its distribution in the body.
-The scan typically takes about 1 to 2 hours to complete. During this time, images are taken at regular intervals to track the flow of the tracer from the liver into the gallbladder and through the bile ducts into the [[duodenum]]. In some cases, additional medications such as [[cholecystokinin]] (CCK) or morphine may be administered to stimulate gallbladder contraction or to enhance the visualization of the biliary system.
+== Procedure ==
-==Indications==
+The procedure begins with the intravenous administration of a radiopharmaceutical agent, typically a technetium-99m labeled iminodiacetic acid derivative. The patient is positioned under a gamma camera, which captures images of the tracer as it moves through the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and into the small intestine.
-Cholescintigraphy is primarily used to diagnose conditions related to the gallbladder and biliary tract. Common indications for a HIDA scan include:
-* Evaluation of [[acute cholecystitis]], which is inflammation of the gallbladder often due to gallstones.
+The test is often performed over a period of 1 to 2 hours, during which time the patient may be asked to change positions to facilitate imaging. In some cases, a hormone called [[cholecystokinin]] (CCK) may be administered to stimulate gallbladder contraction, allowing for the assessment of gallbladder ejection fraction.
-* Assessment of chronic gallbladder disease or [[biliary dyskinesia]], where the gallbladder does not empty properly.
-* Detection of [[bile duct obstruction]], which can be caused by gallstones, tumors, or strictures.
-* Evaluation of [[biliary atresia]] in infants, a condition where the bile ducts are abnormally narrow or absent.
-==Interpretation==
+== Indications ==
-The results of a HIDA scan are interpreted based on the pattern of tracer uptake and excretion. In a normal study, the tracer is rapidly taken up by the liver, appears in the gallbladder within 30 to 60 minutes, and is seen in the small intestine shortly thereafter. Delayed or absent visualization of the gallbladder may indicate acute cholecystitis, while delayed transit into the intestine may suggest a bile duct obstruction.
-==Advantages and Limitations==
+Cholescintigraphy is primarily used to diagnose conditions such as:
-Cholescintigraphy is a non-invasive and highly sensitive method for evaluating gallbladder function and biliary tract patency. It provides functional information that cannot be obtained from anatomical imaging techniques such as [[ultrasound]] or [[CT scan]]. However, it has limitations, including exposure to ionizing radiation and the potential for allergic reactions to the radiopharmaceutical. Additionally, the test may be less accurate in patients with severe liver disease or those who have recently eaten.
-==Related pages==
+* [[Acute cholecystitis]]: Inflammation of the gallbladder, often due to gallstones.
-* [[Gallbladder]]
+* [[Chronic cholecystitis]]: Long-term inflammation of the gallbladder.
+* [[Biliary atresia]]: A condition in infants where bile ducts are blocked or absent.
+* [[Bile leak]]: Leakage of bile from the biliary system, often after surgery.
+* [[Biliary dyskinesia]]: Abnormal motility of the gallbladder.
+== Interpretation ==
+The results of a cholescintigraphy scan are interpreted by a nuclear medicine specialist. Normal results show the tracer moving from the liver into the gallbladder and then into the small intestine. Abnormal results may indicate:
+* Non-visualization of the gallbladder, suggesting acute cholecystitis.
+* Delayed tracer uptake, indicating chronic cholecystitis or biliary obstruction.
+* Absence of tracer in the small intestine, suggesting a bile duct obstruction.
+== Advantages and Limitations ==
+Cholescintigraphy is a non-invasive and highly sensitive test for detecting gallbladder and biliary tract disorders. It provides functional information that other imaging modalities, such as [[ultrasound]] or [[CT scan]], may not offer.
+However, the test has limitations, including:
+* Exposure to a small amount of radiation.
+* Potential for allergic reactions to the radiopharmaceutical.
+* Limited anatomical detail compared to other imaging techniques.
+== Related pages ==
+* [[Gallbladder disease]]
 * [[Biliary tract]]
 * [[Nuclear medicine]]
-* [[Technetium-99m]]
+* [[Radiopharmaceutical]]
-* [[Cholecystitis]]
 [[Category:Medical imaging]]
 [[Category:Nuclear medicine]]
-[[Category:Gastroenterology]]
+[[Category:Hepatology]]