A gallbladder scan is a nuclear and radiological procedure used to test and assess the structure and function of one’s gallbladder. It is also referred to as a liver-biliary scan because the liver is often examined for it is much closer to the functions of the gallbladder. During the scan, the radioactive tracer substance will be put into a vein in the arm.
The liver will now remove the tracer from the blood and add it to the bile that normally flows through the bile ducts to the gallbladder. The gallbladder will now then release the tracer into the primary part of the small intestine. A camera will take pictures of the tracer while it moves through the liver, bile ducts, gallbladder, and small intestine.
Through observing the behavior of the radioactive substance in the body during a nuclear scan, the physician can assess, conclude, and diagnose various conditions, such as obstruction of bile ducts from gallstones, tumors, abscesses, hematomas, organ enlargement, or cysts. A nuclear scan is also used to assess organ function.
Hence, this article will shed light on the readers on the facts and necessary information about gallbladder scans as well as its functions.