What is the typical duration of a HIDA (Hepatobiliary Iminodiacetic Acid) scan?

Duration of HIDA Scan Procedure

A standard HIDA scan typically takes approximately 60-90 minutes to complete, with potential extension to up to 4 hours if delayed imaging is required. 1, 2

Standard HIDA Scan Protocol

The HIDA scan procedure follows a specific timeline:

1. Initial Phase (60 minutes):

   • Patient receives an intravenous injection of HIDA radiotracer while lying supine on the imaging table
   • Imaging is obtained continuously for up to 60 minutes to visualize the gallbladder 1
   • If the gallbladder is visualized within this timeframe, the test may be completed

2. Extended Phase (if needed):

   • If the gallbladder is not visualized by 60 minutes, additional steps may be taken:
     • Administration of 0.04 mg/kg morphine intravenously
     • Additional imaging for 30 minutes after morphine administration 2, 3
     • Total procedure time in this case would be approximately 90 minutes

3. Delayed Imaging (less common):

   • In some protocols without morphine augmentation, delayed imaging may continue for up to 4 hours 4
   • Modern protocols typically use morphine augmentation to avoid these extended delays

Patient Preparation Requirements

Proper preparation is essential for accurate HIDA scan results:

• Fasting for at least 4-6 hours prior to the study (optimally overnight fasting) 1
• Withholding opiate and anticholinergic drugs for at least 48 hours before testing 1, 3
• Avoiding other medications that affect gallbladder contraction for 24 hours, including:
  • Nifedipine, indomethacin, octreotide, theophylline, benzodiazepines
  • Phentolamine, isoproteronol, and progesterone 1
• Avoiding nicotine and alcohol prior to testing 1

Special Considerations

• The duration may be extended in post-bariatric surgery patients, where modified protocols recommend scanning for 75-90 minutes to account for intestinal hypomotility 5
• Morphine-modified protocols have shown superior accuracy compared to conventional delayed imaging protocols (accuracy of 95% vs 84%) 4
• Early visualization of the liver and biliary tract typically occurs within 30 minutes of radiotracer administration in patients with normal hepatobiliary function 6

Potential Variations in Duration

The total duration of a HIDA scan may vary based on:

1. Whether the gallbladder visualizes within the initial 60-minute period
2. Whether pharmacological intervention with morphine is needed
3. The specific protocol used by the imaging facility
4. The clinical question being addressed (e.g., acute cholecystitis vs. functional gallbladder disorder)

For patients undergoing a HIDA scan specifically to measure gallbladder ejection fraction (GBEF), additional time is required for sincalide infusion, which is typically administered over 60 minutes with simultaneous imaging 1.