Can liver cirrhosis impact a Hepatobiliary Iminodiacetic Acid (HIDA) scan?

From the Research

Yes, liver cirrhosis can significantly impact a Hepatobiliary Iminodiacetic Acid (HIDA) scan. The most recent and highest quality study, 1, published in 2018, provides evidence that liver cirrhosis can alter the uptake and excretion of the radiotracer used in HIDA scans.

Key Findings

• In patients with cirrhosis, the scan typically shows delayed uptake of the radiotracer by hepatocytes and prolonged transit time through the liver.
• The images may demonstrate patchy or heterogeneous uptake patterns reflecting the irregular architecture of the cirrhotic liver.
• Additionally, cirrhosis often causes reduced visualization of the gallbladder and biliary tree due to impaired excretion of the radiotracer.

Clinical Implications

• Clinicians interpreting HIDA scans in cirrhotic patients must account for these alterations when making diagnostic assessments.
• The severity of cirrhosis correlates with the degree of abnormality seen on the scan, with advanced cirrhosis causing more pronounced changes.
• These alterations occur because cirrhosis damages hepatocytes and disrupts the normal blood flow through the liver, affecting the hepatobiliary transport mechanisms that the HIDA scan is designed to evaluate.

Comparison with Other Studies

• While other studies, such as 2, 3, 4, and 5, provide additional information on the use of HIDA scans in various clinical contexts, the study by 1 is the most recent and directly relevant to the question of how liver cirrhosis impacts HIDA scans.