Hepatobiliary Scan

Hepatobiliary Scan

 

About the test

A hepatobiliary scan is a test that looks at the flow of bile through your liver and gallbladder ducts.

This scan is done to check the function of your liver and gallbladder. This checks for the location of possible gallstones, or if you have a blockage in the bile ducts that drain your liver.

The material used for the scan contains a very small amount of radioactivity, called a tracer. This test will result in very low radiation exposure.

If you are breastfeeding, pregnant, or think you might be, tell the radiologist or technologist before the scan.

To prepare for the test

  • You must not eat or drink anything for 4 hours before your appointment time.
  • You must be off any narcotic pain medicine for at least 4 hours before this test. This includes:
    • Morphine sulfate
    • Dilaudid
    • Methadone
    • Fentanyl
    • Demerol
    • Oxycondone
    • Opium
  • Because you may be given a small amount of morphine during the test, you must have an adult with you to take you home after the test. Morphine will make you drowsy and it will not be safe for you to leave by yourself after the test.
  • Do not take any oral medicines. Bring them with you to take when the scan is done.

During the test

  • The tracer will be injected into a vein in your arm. Your liver will take up the tracer and empty it into your bile ducts. It will then go into your gallbladder, if you have one.
  • You will lie on your back on a table and a large camera-like machine will be above you.
  • Pictures are taken for the next hour.
  • More pictures could be needed at a later time. If more pictures are needed, your technologist will let you know.
  • You may be given a small amount of morphine if your gallbladder does not appear during the first hour of pictures. If you are allergic to morphine, tell the technologist.
  • If you are scheduled for an Ejection Fraction (EF) scan, the pictures will take another 60 minutes, and you will be drinking a bottle of Ensure just before these images.

A hepatobiliary scan is an important test. Please ask your doctor or technologist if you have any questions.

© 2004 – July 25, 2022, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or health care team if you have any questions about your care. For more health information call the Library for Health Information at 614-293-3707 or email: health-info@osu.edu.