Is the contrast used in a Hepatobiliary Iminodiacetic Acid (HIDA) scan safer than regular Intravenous (IV) contrast?

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Last updated: February 14, 2025 • View editorial policy

From the Research

Contrast Safety in HIDA Scans

  • The provided studies do not directly compare the safety of contrast used in HIDA scans to regular Intravenous (IV) contrast [ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ].
  • HIDA scans use technetium-99m labeled iminodiacetic acid derivatives, which are specifically designed for hepatobiliary imaging [ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ].
  • The studies focus on the diagnostic value and applications of HIDA scans in various clinical settings, such as evaluating hepatobiliary disease [ 1 ], intrahepatic cholestasis [ 2 ], posttransplantation biliary complications [ 3 ], and cholecystitis [ 4 ].
  • There is no direct evidence in the provided studies to suggest that the contrast used in HIDA scans is safer than regular IV contrast [ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ].

HIDA Scan Applications

  • HIDA scans are used to evaluate the functional integrity of the hepatobiliary system [ 1 ].
  • They can help diagnose intrahepatic cholestasis [ 2 ], detect biliary leaks and obstruction [ 3 ], and assess the patency and function of biliary-enteric anastomoses [ 5 ].
  • The scans can also be used to evaluate patients with suspected or known hepatobiliary disease [ 1 ] and to detect early posttransplantation biliary complications [ 3 ].

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