Any significance to a HIDA scan of <30 min?

I recently had a HIDA scan after a normal US and a three day attack of RUQ  pain radiating to back with fever of 100.5. I was told the test would take 1 1/2 hours. However, the tracer worked its way through the entire biliary system to small intestine in less than 30 minutes. Does this signify anything? Gallbladder ejection fraction is 18%.  Also, I have a history of auto immune issues such as chronic joint pain, endometriosis and interstitial cystitis. Can auto immune problems destroy a gallbladder? Does it really need to come out?

[Banned1]

Hi there:

I'm so sorry you are suffering.  It can be so difficult to manage symptoms like pain and fever.  When your ejection fraction rate (EFR) is less than 35%, doctors usually recommend removal, especially when there are other symptoms that are interfering with your life.  I'm not a doctor and know nothing about medicine but I've learned that there can be problems with either decision.  Do some research and make an educated choice regardless of my post or anyone elses.

Since you have a low EFR, pain in both your abdomen and back plus fever, I would be shocked if your doctor didn't recommend surgery pronto.  On the bright side, most gallbladder horror stories are from people with "normal" EFRs.  Hopefully that means you will have a good experience.  I will post some links that might help answer your questions at the end.

Fever is generally indicative of an infection and believe me when I tell you that infection can become incredibly serious if you delay surgery.  Do you trust your medical team?  If not, get a second opinion.  If you do trust them and they tell you it needs to go, have the surgery.  If you go the second opinion route, please do it quickly with a fever like that.

I don't know enough about the subject to comment on whether autoimmune problems can destroy a gallbladder OR whether the swiftness of the HIDA scan is significant.  I've heard that sometimes a speedy HIDA can signify a hyperkinetic gallbladder but that's all I can add.

All the best and I hope you get well soon!

Sam

Digestion and GI Health – Your Gallbladder – http://www.womentowomen.com/digestionandgihealth/gallbladderhealth.aspx
Cholecystitis – http://gastroresource.com/GITextbook/en/chapter13/13-2-pr.htm
Gallstone Removal – http://www.surgeryencyclopedia.com/Fi-La/Gallstone-Removal.html
Management of Common Bile Duct Calculi – http://www.surgeons.org/Content/NavigationMenu/WhoWeAre/Regions/QLD/080506_CWon.pdf
Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) – http://www.sages.org/sagespublication.php?doc=PI11
Functional Gallbladder and Sphincter of Oddi Disorders – http://www.romecriteria.org/pdfs/p1498FuncGallbladderandSOD.pdf
MERCK – Gallstones – http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec10/ch140/ch140b.html
Gallstones and Gallbladder Disease – http://adam.about.com/reports/Gallstones-and-gallbladder-disease.htm#adamHeading_4
GALLSTONES (Cholelithiasis) – http://www.rxmed.com/b.main/b1.illness/b1.1.illnesses/GALLSTONES%20(CHOLELITHIASIS).htm
Cedars-Sinai – Gallstones – http://www.csmc.edu/5344.html
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC) – Gallstones – http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/gallstones/index.htm
Gallbladder Attack – http://www.gallbladderattack.com/gallbladdersurgery.shtml
Pathology Outlines – Gallbladder – http://www.pathologyoutlines.com/gallbladderpf.html
Diseases of the Gallbladder and Bile Ducts – http://rezidentiat.3x.ro/eng/litbiliaraeng.htm