HIDA scan results

[jfem4]

I just got back from my HIDA scan.

History:

I am a 41 yo female with about a year of yelloe stool, nausea/bloating.

After extensive testing, this year they did a HIDA scan ( Nov 2006)
results :

No obstruction of the cystic or common bile ducts. Abnormal repsone to CCK. Ejection % was 10 %. Ot experinced nausea when infusing.

I saw the surgeon who wanted it repeated - he said becasue he wanted it done at his place-different hospital then the other one.

I just had it done today...

First I had an abdominal US which revealed no stones.

Then on to the HIDA scan.
After 1 hour of the first part, they were not sure if they saw the gallbladder or not...So another 20 minutes. STill unsure, so they sent me away to return in an hour, they had me drink milk to hopefully stimulate it.

Went back, they did more scans, and they said they saw it, but decided not to do the CCK.

I asked why and they said to ask my MD. I called him and he won't be bakc for another week!!


Of course, I'm a little nervous...

My symptoms are only occasional nausea and bloating...maybe once a week or twice a week, RUQ pain rarely, and occasional rt scapula pain.

My questions:

Why wouldn't they do the CCK?

WHat would casue them not to see the gallbladderfro such a long time?

Is it serious?

Is there something really wrong??

If it is biliary dykinesia, would you advise removal?


Thank you

Jane

[Kevin Pho, MD]

To answer your questions:
1) I cannot comment on why they couldn't do the CCK.  The first tests showed a decreased gallbladder ejection fraction - which can lead to the abdominal pain.

2) Sometimes the position of the gallbladder is in such a way that it would cloud the HIDA scan interpretation.

3) I cannot comment on the severity without examination.  IF the gallbladder ejection fraction really is low, some small studies suggest removing the gallbladder may help.

These options can be discussed with your surgeon.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_

[PrincessKatie]

I just had my gall bladder removed. I had a 12% function and though I had no stones, they decided to remove it because of my risk of devoloping stones. The surgery was laperoscopic and I'm healing very well after a week and a half. I'll be back at work on Monday. If the doctors decided that you need to have it removed and you're concerned, I'd recommend getting it done. As I was told, usually once a gall bladder has a low function, the function does not increase. Good luck!

[jfem4]

I would love to hear more about your symptoms surgery etc...

THe MD just called and said the reason it didn't show up was that the gallbladder has such bad functioning that it took almost 3 hours to fill...it should have been 45 or so...

I guess I have to take it out, but I'm so nervous about things being worse after...like the horror stories that I hear about how you can't eat anything, and you get really bad diarreha???

I just need to hear some "good stories"...


Did your symptoms go away?

Were they bad?

How long did you have them???


Thank you so much for responding to this!!!

Jane

[Aliohpntz]

I have had a chronic throat clearing problem, primarily after eating, for 2 years now.  It is so miserable it is hard for me to work after lunch and embarrassing (sp?) to eat around others.  I have seen an ENT what seems like 50 times, I have been to two primary care docs, two GI docs, had ultrasounds of my abdominal organs, had CT scans of my sinuses (have had several infections but even when clear no change), chest X-Ray, had allergy testing, had two different esophageal tests (one for function, one to look for pockets), had an endoscopy......  I have been on several reflux meds, allergy meds, TUMS, Atrovent, Nasal steroids, and everything else you can possibly think of.  I do not have heartburn, abdominal or subscapular pain, just massive phlegm production associated with eating.  It used to not happen with breakfast, just lunch and dinner.  Now it is all meals, all foods (regardless of fat content etc).  
The only two abnormal findings were a small hiatal hernia and a mildly reduced ejection fraction on HIDA scan (17%).  I am a 32 y/o white female, not overweight, non-smoker and feel like everyone thinks I am nuts!  But I cannot produce phlegm on command so I know I am not crazy.  The throat clearing is very intense and productive, the phlegm is so thick it takes a big throat clearing to loosen it so I can cough it up.  I am considering the cholecystectomy but don't want to go removing parts (essential or otherwise) just to "see" if if helps.  Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks
Aliohpntz