Hi all,

It's been a while since I've posted, but I wanted to ask if those of you who had HIDA scans felt that they were worth it-- meaning, they were a necessary part of determining whether you had gallbladder problems, etc.

I had two ultrasounds-- the first showed stones, and the second three months later showed nothing. I had a second opinion Monday and the new doc said that sometimes certain techs are more thorough than others and may catch what others don't.

I also told him about how I had a HIDA scan 2 months ago. It came back normal, but they forgot to do the ejection fraction part. When I told my new doc this, he was like, "Why would you bother with a HIDA scan? Where did you get the idea to do that?" I told him that I had friends who were doctors who had suggested it. I've been wanting to get the HIDA repeated with the ejection fraction, but now I'm afraid this new doc won't approve it. I'm not sure what to do. None of the other tests that have been done have shown anything-- blood work, Upper GI, pelvic ultrasound, etc.

Suggestions/Advice?

Maybe we're not getting the whole context, but sounds crazy to me.

Why would a gastroenterologist (assuming this) imply a HIDA scan is ridiculous?

Is it because you don't have severe symptoms?

It is definitely more expensive than US, but if you really have a problem that seems it could be GB, HIDA scan seems standard procedure. In fact, it seems the only tests for GB are the US and the HIDA. I can't see why any competent doctor would eschew it. Unless he's thinking you wasted money because you don't seem to have bad symptoms or they don't really point to GB at all.

I thought it was a waste of time and money since mine did not show anything but the Endoscopy did.

Mine came back normal too. What kind of symptoms are you having?
Sisty
Hi all,

It's been a while since I've posted, but I wanted to ask if those of you who had HIDA scans felt that they were worth it-- meaning, they were a necessary part of determining whether you had gallbladder problems, etc.

I had two ultrasounds-- the first showed stones, and the second three months later showed nothing. I had a second opinion Monday and the new doc said that sometimes certain techs are more thorough than others and may catch what others don't.

I also told him about how I had a HIDA scan 2 months ago. It came back normal, but they forgot to do the ejection fraction part. When I told my new doc this, he was like, "Why would you bother with a HIDA scan? Where did you get the idea to do that?" I told him that I had friends who were doctors who had suggested it. I've been wanting to get the HIDA repeated with the ejection fraction, but now I'm afraid this new doc won't approve it. I'm not sure what to do. None of the other tests that have been done have shown anything-- blood work, Upper GI, pelvic ultrasound, etc.

Suggestions/Advice?

My hida scan showed a 23% ejection fraction. I was going to have it removed during another surgery. However when the surgeon thought it looked fine so he left it. Two weeks later I was having pain and he decided to take it out. I'm not sure it was necessary. He said I had sludge.

No test is full proof. I had an endoscopy and it did not reveal a hiatal hernia. However when I had my nissen it was discovered. It was moderately sized as well.

Good luck.

Sherri

I thought it was a waste of time and money since mine did not show anything but the Endoscopy did.

Did you have an endoscopic ultrasound? The doctor did suggest that-- but only if I was planning to have surgery if it came out positive for stones. I guess more than anything I'm curious to know if my gallbladder is functioning positively. Like I said, the original scan showed stones, but the one done three months later did not.

As for the symptoms I'm having-- upper abdominal pain that comes on usually in the afternoon and may last a few days before going away for a few days. I have heartburn/reflux, slight nausea, twinges of pain on the right side where the gb is, and I get full very easily and it often lasts a while. Ever since I had what I thought was an attack 5 months ago, I stopped eating fried, fatty or greasy foods. I've changed my diet pretty drastically-- I eat low fat and a lot fewer calories. I know they say that you can still get attacks even if you eat low fat meals-- sometimes the upper ab pain I feel these days is similar to the attacks I had before, but the pain is less severe. Mostly, I'm just tired of being afraid that something worse is around the corner-- or that I'll overdo it one day and be in serious pain.....

Yes, I agree that it's strange that a competent doctor would eschew someone getting a HIDA-- especially after I had a scan that showed stones. Perhaps he thinks that stones are enough proof of the problems and that I shouldn't need to take things a step further....I don't know. :(

That would be my assumption....since you knew you had stones, what difference would an ejection rate make in any treatment decision?

That would be my assumption....since you knew you had stones, what difference would an ejection rate make in any treatment decision?

I can see how that would make him hesitant to wanna pursue it. But since the first ultrasound was so vague and they couldn't tell if it was sludge/stones/whatever/anything, I just want some sort of additional evidence that my gallbladder is acting up-- even if I get a normal ejection fraction. A lot of people that show no stones on their ultrasounds but have low ejection fractions end up getting their gb's out-- only to be told after the surgery that they did in fact have stones. Who knows? I'm especially confuzed because the second ultrasound came out normal-- even if it was just a poorly done scan that failed to show what was there. I guess it's just tough to justify getting out my gb when everything is so vague.....

Sorry...I thought you said the first one showed stones...mine did and that was the end of that...out it came!

my scan was normal. They did a biopsy of the gallbladder (Endoscopy) and found cholesterol stones (microscopic). I was told they would eventually turn into stones.

my scan was normal. They did a biopsy of the gallbladder (Endoscopy) and found cholesterol stones (microscopic). I was told they would eventually turn into stones.

Hi Dixie,

Were the miscroscopic stones causing you pain? What was your ejection fraction on the HIDA Scan? Like I said, the scan part of mine came out normal, but they never did an ejection fraction. Did you end up having your gall bladder out? If so, did it help? Thanks for everyone's input....

They never told me the ejection fraction just that the scan was normal. I am having nausea and pain on front right side that radiate to my right shoulder on my back. I will have surgery on July 31st. I wonder why they did not tell me the ejection rate? I have more nausea right now with some pinching pain.
Hi Dixie,

Were the miscroscopic stones causing you pain? What was your ejection fraction on the HIDA Scan? Like I said, the scan part of mine came out normal, but they never did an ejection fraction. Did you end up having your gall bladder out? If so, did it help? Thanks for everyone's input....

Why don't you call and ask? Just so you know and feel like you're on the right track...