Weatherford, TX
A 55-year-old female asked:
will a nuclear hida scan show pancreatic stones or bile duct stones?
4 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in

Dr. Durga Komaragiri answered
Internal Medicine 32 years experience
Gallbladder dyskines: It is a test for dysfunctional gallbladder/ talk to your pcp regarding the appropriate test.
4944 viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Larry Grissom answered
Radiology 43 years experience
No: Hida scan is a functional exam to reveal if the bile duct is blocked by a stone or tumor. If blockage is suspected by the results, an MRI of the bile ducts (mrcp) is frequently the next step to visualize the blockage.
4940 viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Larry Habelson Wilf commented
Nuclear Medicine 39 years experience
I agree with Dr. Grissom. A Hida scan can also slow how well your gallbladder is working to release the digestive juices it holds.
May 26, 2015

Dr. Joseph Accurso answered
Radiology 29 years experience
No, and yes!: A hida scan images the formation of bile by the liver, and the flow of bile from the liver into the gallbladder and small bowel.
It does not have enough resolution to see bile duct stones, but if any part of the extrahepatic biliary system is obstructed by a bile duct stone, then a hida scan would be abnormal.
Hida scan does not image the pancreatic duct and will not show pancreatic duct stones.
4928 viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Gerald Mandell answered
Nuclear Medicine 52 years experience
Obstruction: HIDA scan will show obstruction of biliary duct. Need other imaging US, CT, or MR todefine etiology of obstruction. to define cause of obstruction.Sometimes ERCP or endoscopy to confirm and perhaps relief of obstruction. Pancreatic abnormalities are not detected.
3390 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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Last updated Jun 14, 2019
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