Hepatobiliary Scintigraphy

Background

Hepatobiliary scintigraphy (hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid or HIDA) is a noninvasive nuclear imaging test used to assess the patency of the extrahepatic biliary tree and gallbladder and the functionality of the liver and gallbladder. Radioactive tracer is injected into the bloodstream and transported to the liver where it is taken up and excreted into the biliary tree. The tracer is then taken up by the gallbladder and excreted into the small intestine. The radioactive tracer mimics the bile pathway ( Fig. 35.1 ).