How you prepare
By Mayo Clinic staffTo prepare for your HIDA scan, your doctor may ask you to:
- Fast for a few hours. Recommendations vary, but expect to fast for two or more hours before your HIDA scan. You may be allowed to drink clear liquids.
- Delay taking some medications. Certain medications may interfere with your HIDA scan, so your doctor may ask that you delay taking your medications on the day of your scan. Tell your doctor about any medications you're taking.
- Take medications that enhance the scan. Certain medications may make it easier for your doctor to interpret the results of your HIDA scan. Whether you need to take this type of medication depends on the reason for your scan. In some cases you may start taking this medication a few days before your scan. In other cases you may receive an infusion of a medication in addition to the radioactive tracer that's injected immediately before or during your HIDA scan.
References
- The SNM procedure guideline for hepatobiliary scintigraphy 4.0. Reston, Va.: Society of Nuclear Medicine. http://interactive.snm.org/docs/Hepatobiliary_Scintigraphy_V4.0.pdf. Accessed Sept. 14, 2010.
- General nuclear medicine. RadiologyInfo.org. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=gennuclear&bhcp=1. Accessed Sept. 14, 2010.
- Practice guideline for the performance of adult and pediatric hepatobiliary scintigraphy. Reston, Va.: American College of Radiology. http://www.acr.org/SecondaryMainMenuCategories/quality_safety/guidelines/nuc_med/hepatobiliary_scintigraphy.aspx. Accessed Sept. 14, 2010.
- Segerman D, et al. Radionuclide imaging: General principles. In: Adams A, et al. Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/106899019-4/0/1611/0.html. Accessed Sept. 14, 2010.
- Mettler FA. Essentials of Radiology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier Saunders; 2005. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/106899019-4/0/1276/0.html. Accessed Sept. 14, 2010.

Find Mayo Clinic on