Gallbladder Question?

how long was it since you had ate or drank anything before you had that ultrasound? You should be fasting at least 8 hours prior to the ultrasound. If not, it should be repeated. Next step would be a hida scan. That takes 1 and 1/2 to 2 hours to complete, and also requires a 6 to 8 hour fast.

come in, fasting 4 to 8 hours. No opiate pain medicine at least 8 hours prior to exam.

1. You receive an injection of a radioactive drug, (usually choletec), then pictures are taken with a nuclear medicine camera (usually round or rectagular) over your belly, usually for 30 to 60 minutes. (differs from facility to facility)

2. If the gallbladder is well visualized next step usually is to determine the gallbladder ejection fraction (how well the muscles of the gallbladder contract to squeeze out bile). More pictures are taken while cck (cholecystakinine, usually brand name kinevac) is injected slowly (over 10 to 30 minutes- differs by facilities). You may experience a breif period of nausea, abdominal tightness, mild to moderate cramping, light headedness. Less common side effects are severe cramping, anxiety attack, dry heaves, vomiting.
Some facilities will not use cck if gallstones are present, as there is a slight risk of pushing a stone through the bile ducts, which is very painful and can rarely cause serious problems.
The test may not be accurate if the gallbladder is not well visualized and/or obsurred by radioisotope in the small bowel.