About Nuclear Medicine Gallbladder Scan
A gallbladder nuclear medicine scan can assess gallbladder function. It is used to detect abnormalities of the gallbladder and to diagnose blockages of the duct that leads from the gallbladder to the small intestine or to assess inflammation (cholecystitis). Common reasons for having a gallbladder scan include pain in the right upper abdomen, loss of appetite, or nausea and vomiting.

What to expect
You will be asked to lie on a table while a small amount of radiotracer is injected into a vein in the arm. After the radiotracer is injected, a special camera, called a detector, will be positioned close to your abdomen. The detector will take pictures continuously for 60 minutes as the tracer passes through your liver and into your gallbladder and small intestine. You will need to lie very still during this time to avoid blurring the pictures. If your physician needs additional information about how your gallbladder is functioning, you will be given a second intravenous injection of a medication to make your gallbladder contract. Images will be acquired for an additional 20-30 minutes.

The images will be interpreted by a radiologist who specializes in nuclear medicine imaging and a report will be sent to your doctor.

Patient preparation
You should not eat or drink anything for at least 6 hours prior to the scan.

Side effects and complications
No adverse or allergic reactions are associated with the tracer used during the exam. If your scan includes the second injection to show gallbladder contraction, you may notice some nausea, cramping, or mild discomfort that will dissipate 5-10 minutes after injection

Women who may be pregnant or who are breastfeeding should tell their doctor before the scan is performed. Some medications interfere with the results of the scan, so please inform us of your current medications at the time of scheduling.

Follow-up care
No follow-up care is required.