Question 1

do hida scans expose patients to dangerous levels of radiation?

Accepted Answer

Small dose: If i recall correctly, the total dose of radiation from a hida scan is equivalent to about a year of exposure to the low-level radiation from the environment, so quite low.

Question 2

will a hida nuclear scan expose me to dangerous radiation?

Accepted Answer

Acceptable  amount: Tc 99m hida is radioactivity injected intravenously .The liver extracts it  from blood stream to show excretion into bile ducts, gall bladder as well as bowel.The amount of irradiation is equal to 3 yr natural background exposure.This isotope is utilized also in children because of relative low irradiation dose and the dose is determined by body  weight test should be done if have biliary symptoms.

Question 3

had nuclear stress about 13 years ago don't remember meds used! had hida 2 yrs ago plus annual mammos. too much radiation? nuclear dangerous?

Accepted Answer

Nuclear stress test: It would be unusual for a 33 year old woman to have a condition where a nuclear stress test was helpful.  The effects of radiation exposure are measured in very small numbers -- while not zero, the risk of a radiation side effect is quite low from the kinds of diagnostic tests you've had.  The goal is to keep radiation exposure as low as reasonably possible, while using tests when needed.

Question 4

had hida scan for gallstones & months  later multiple mammos for stereotactic biopsy (calcification-benign)-dangers to all this radiation?

Accepted Answer

The danger is tiny: The risk of induced cancer from a HIDA scan and dozens of mammogram images is incredibly small. In fact, some would claim the risk could barely be calculated reliably. See: http://www.riainvision.com/exams/hida_scan.aspx Note, we all get x ray radiation naturally every day.
 There is real risk with repeated studies such as CT scans. For instance, one CT study of the chest equals 100 chest x rays.

Question 5

ct scan abdomen/chest w/o contrast --- march 2020
ct scan abdomen/chest w/contrast --- july 2020
ct scan abdomen/chest w/o contrast --- january 2021
hida scan --- may 2021
nuclear stress test --- scheduled june 2021
cumulative radiation problem?

Accepted Answer

: The use as described of both CT scans over the interval described can exceed the cumulative recommended radiation dose. Consult a radiation oncologist to determine if specific surveillance is necessary. When appropriate,   "plain films" are still very useful to avoid this cumulative effect of CT imaging, as far less radiation exposure results.

Question 6

i got ct scan of abdomen and pelvis done last july (7/20).i got gastric emptying study last july,small bowl follow through last august,chest xray last october,hida scan 4 months ago. dr wants to do a repeat ct scan.is this okay or too much radiation?

Accepted Answer

: You don't mention what your symptoms are or what your MD is looking to rule in or out.  An MRI doesn't use xrays .Ask your MD if one can be done as another CT scan would expose you to more radiation.

Question 7

how many hours prior to a hida scan do pain medications (morphine, narcotics) need to be ceased to prevent false results. while in patient i had a scan (result 30% function) but was given pain medications 3 times ending 36 hours bf test?

Accepted Answer

: Most acute narcotic pain medications  are metabolized within a few hours.  Medications you received 36 hours prior to the HIDA scan would not effect the results.

Question 8

is there a tool that a dr. can use to check the level of patients radiation exposure from all the x-rays and ct scans in ones life?

Accepted Answer

No: The list of Possible Things To Worry About from cradle to grave is infinitely long.  The radiation exposure from medical testing is low on that list, unless one has a bad medical disorder and is getting repeated scans over and over.

Question 9

hello docs! can you tell me what detects the radiation emitted from the patient during a pet scan?

Accepted Answer

Geiger counter: Usually a Geiger counter is used to detect most forms of nuclear radiation.

Question 10

how to find out how much radiation the patient is exposed to during a bone scan when they inject a dye?

Accepted Answer

5.27 mSv : The common bone scan with 600 mbq of technetium-99m-mdp has an effective dose of approximately 3.5 msv (3, 500 μsv).
By the way they do not inject dye, they radioactive material. It is complicated issue.
Read more:http://hps.Org/publicinformation/ate/q8077.Html.

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Doctor answers about:

Do HIDA scans expose patients to dangerous levels of radiation

A member asked:

Do hida scans expose patients to dangerous levels of radiation?

A member asked:

Will a hida nuclear scan expose me to dangerous radiation?

A member asked:

Had nuclear stress about 13 years ago don't remember meds used! had hida 2 yrs ago plus annual mammos. too much radiation? nuclear dangerous?

A member asked:

Had hida scan for gallstones & months later multiple mammos for stereotactic biopsy (calcification-benign)-dangers to all this radiation?

A member asked:

Ct scan abdomen/chest w/o contrast --- march 2020 ct scan abdomen/chest w/contrast --- july 2020 ct scan abdomen/chest w/o contrast --- january 2021 hida scan --- may 2021 nuclear stress test --- scheduled june 2021 cumulative radiation problem?

A member asked:

I got ct scan of abdomen and pelvis done last july (7/20).i got gastric emptying study last july,small bowl follow through last august,chest xray last october,hida scan 4 months ago. dr wants to do a repeat ct scan.is this okay or too much radiation?

A member asked:

How many hours prior to a hida scan do pain medications (morphine, narcotics) need to be ceased to prevent false results. while in patient i had a scan (result 30% function) but was given pain medications 3 times ending 36 hours bf test?

A member asked:

Is there a tool that a dr. can use to check the level of patients radiation exposure from all the x-rays and ct scans in ones life?

A member asked:

Hello docs! can you tell me what detects the radiation emitted from the patient during a pet scan?

A member asked:

How to find out how much radiation the patient is exposed to during a bone scan when they inject a dye?

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