If there is a possibility of pregnancy or breastfeeding, please inform the technologist prior to the date of your examination.
What to expect
A Gallbladder scan is procedure used to check the function and the condition of the gallbladder and the ducts leading in and out of it. It can help determine if a person has form of gallbladder disease or if the gallbladder is functioning properly.
For patients having CCK-No Narcotics for 12 hour prior to test including: Demerol, Morphine (Avinza, Kadian), Dilaudid, Codeine, Fentanyl Patch, Fentanyl P.C.A., Tramadol, Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Oxyctin, Lortab, Vicodin, Percocet, Precodan, Methadone, Buprenorphine (Butrans, Suboxone), Tapentadol (Nucynta), Oxymorphone (Opana), and Pentazocine
Do not eat or drink after midnight. The scan will take approximately 2 hours.
On the day of your exam
Please arrive approximately 15 minutes prior to your appointment time to allow for parking and registration. If you bring friends or family to the appointment they will be asked to have a seat in a waiting room during your test. Children cannot be left unattended during the test, so please arrange for a caregiver.
The procedure
You will be assisted onto a table by a technologist.
Gallbladder Only
A small amount of radioactive material is injected into a vein in your arm. You will be instructed to be still while images are made of the gallbladder every 10 minutes up to several hours depending on visualization of common bile duct, gallbladder and duodenum. In some cases the patient may need to return the following day for delay imaging depending on how the gallbladder reacts to the isotope.
For those having CCK
Once the common bile duct, gallbladder and duodenum are an injection of CCK (cholecystokinin) is administered and additional images will be taken that may take several hours. CCK is a medication that causes the gallbladder to contract. During the injection, a person may experience abdominal cramping or pain and nausea, however this will pass quickly.
After the exam
Drink plenty of water to help your body get rid of the tracer. Most of it will leave your body in your urine or stool. The rest will go away over time.
Results
Our radiologist will study your examination and a report will be forwarded to your practitioner, from whom you may obtain the results. If you have any questions regarding this procedure, please contact our department at at 608-342-4745.
Your Appointment
The radiology department will call you the day before the test to notify you with the time of your appointment. If you cannot be reached before 10 pm the test will be cancelled.
Date of appointment _______________________________________
Your procedure will be performed at Southwest Health at 1400 Eastside Road – Platteville, WI 53818. Please use the Main Hospital Entrance and check in at the Registration Desk prior to your scheduled procedure.
Please report to the department at the scheduled appointment time. If you cannot keep your appointment, please notify the department as soon as possible at 608-342-4745.
NOTE: It may take 2-3 days to obtain verification from your insurance company for exams that require prior authorization, such as CT, MRI, Nuclear Stress, Injections, etc.