Introduction

A hepatobiliary (DISIDA) scan is an imaging test that shows how well your child’s liver and gallbladder are working. 

It uses: 

• a Gamma camera – a large camera that measures radiation
• radiotracer- a small amount of radioactive fluid that moves through the body. 

The gamma camera takes pictures of the radiotracer moving through your child’s liver to show how well it is working.

A hepatobiliary scan can be done to check:

• jaundice - yellowing of the skin or eyes
• biliary atresia- blocked or missing bile ducts
• hepatitis - swelling or infection of the liver
• gallstones and biliary dyskinesia- conditions of the gallbladder
• problems after a liver transplant, like blockages or leaks in the bile ducts

Bile ducts are small tubes that carry bile from the liver and gallbladder to the small intestine. Bile is a yellow-green fluid made by the liver that helps break down fats in food.

Preparation depends on your child’s age and condition. This will be confirmed when you book your appointment. 

• babies and younger children- will need to be fed and then fasted for 2-3 hours before the scan.
• older children- will need a ‘fatty’ meal, like cheese on toast or a glass of milk. They will then fast for 4 hours before the scan. 

Your child will be weighed to help calculate the correct amount of radiotracer.

The risks of radiation and allergic reactions are very low. Let your child’s treatment team know if they have any allergies. 

Your child will have a small injection at the start of the scan. 

The camera won’t touch them, and they won’t feel anything from the scan itself.

The scan can take up to five hours, and you can stay with your child.   

Generally, the steps of the scan are:

1. your child will lie on the scanning bed
2. a blanket with velcro straps may be used to help keep your child still
3. a small amount of radiotracer will be injected using a small needle as the scan begins
4. over 60 minutes, the camera will take images of your child’s blood stream, liver and bile. 

Depending on the first images, your child may need to do the following:

• drink a milkshake, wait an hour and get more images taken. These images should take a couple of minutes.
• come back four hours later for 30 minutes more of imaging. Your child can eat and drink as normal between these scans.

You can leave once the images  are checked by a doctor or nuclear medicine scientist.

The results will be sent to your child’s doctor within a couple of days. You will need to schedule a follow-up appointment with your child’s doctor to discuss the results.