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People also ask
What is a liver ultrasound?
What is a hepatobiliary scan?
What is a liver imaging test?
What is a Liver Scan?
How is a liver scan done?
What can a liver ultrasound test tell you?
Imaging tests allow doctors to take detailed images of your internal organs and tissue, and assess the size, shape and surface appearance of your liver. They can also test the stiffness of the liver – healthy liver tissue is soft, so stiffness indicates that damage has occurred.
- Liver disease tests, diagnosis and screening
You might need to have imaging tests (such as ultrasound, a...
- Liver disease tests, diagnosis and screening
Main tests for liver cancer. You will need tests and scans to check for liver cancer if the GP refers you to a specialist. These tests can include: blood tests; scans, like an ultrasound scan, CT scan or MRI scan; collecting a small sample of cells from the liver (called a biopsy), to be checked for cancer; You may not have all these tests.
- Overview
- Definition
- Who may need one?
- Types of imaging
- Risks
- How to prepare
- Liver scan procedure
- After the scan
- Summary
A liver scan describes a specialized imaging test that examines the liver to help identify certain conditions, assess liver function, and monitor treatment progress.
The liver is the largest solid organ and gland in the body. It performs vital functions that help support metabolism, digestion, detoxification, and vitamin storage. A liver scan may give doctors valuable information about the health and function of the liver. It may also help with the diagnosis of liver conditions and the identification of abnormal masses.
A liver scan is a radiology procedure that uses specialized imaging equipment to capture high quality images of the liver. This allows a healthcare professional to carefully examine the liver, which helps to support the diagnosis and treatment of various liver conditions.
Some medical experts refer to a liver scan as a liver-spleen scan. This term is in reference to checking the health of both organs, as the liver and spleen work closely together.
The procedure is a type of nuclear medicine. This means it uses a tiny amount of a radioactive substance called radioactive tracer. The liver tissue absorbs the radioactive tracer. The spleen and bone marrow absorb the remainder of the material.
Once the liver tissue collects the radioactive tracer, it emits gamma rays. A scanner can detect this radiation and use it to produce an image of the liver.
A person may need a liver scan if they experience unexplained pain in the upper right side of their abdomen or if they had trauma in the abdomen.
As the scan can help determine the size and function of the liver, a doctor may recommend a liver scan if they suspect a person has liver disease. It may also help to confirm other test results.
Doctors may request a liver scan to help diagnose conditions and growths, such as:
•organ enlargement
•cyst
•abscess
HIDA scan
A HIDA scan, also known as cholescintigraphy or hepatobiliary scintigraphy, is a type of radionuclide imaging. It can help doctors assess the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and small intestine.
Ultrasound
Ultrasounds use sound waves to create images of the liver. An abdominal ultrasound is a useful tool for detecting structural abnormalities affecting the liver. It can help detect blockages and can provide guidance for a biopsy.
CT scan
A CT scan uses radiation to take images of the liver and its blood vessels. It can detect tumors and abscesses, and certain disorders that affect the entire liver, such as fatty liver disease.
Liver scans typically have very low associated risks. The radiation level in liver scans is not enough to cause harm. It is less than the amount used in most other types of nuclear medicine.
Some people may experience slight discomfort with the injection of the radioactive tracer. Lying on the scanning table may also be uncomfortable for some people.
In rare cases, some individuals may have an allergic reaction. As such, people sensitive to any medications, contrast agents, or latex should inform their doctor before the procedure.
Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should consult a doctor before any radiation exposure.
People can eat and drink as they typically would before a liver scan.
Before the scan, a healthcare professional may ask the person to sign a consent form that permits them to do the procedure.
The person will need to remove any jewelry, dentures, or other metallic accessories that may interfere with the scanner’s function. They may also need to wear a hospital gown.
A person must inform the healthcare professional if they are pregnant or suspect they could be.
A person can have a liver scan as an outpatient or during a stay in hospital. The procedure may vary depending on the facility’s practices and the person’s health. It generally follows this process:
1.A healthcare professional will ask the person to remove their clothing, accessories, and jewelry. A person will receive a gown to wear for the procedure.
2.A healthcare professional will insert an IV line on the person’s arm or hand. A radiologist will inject a small amount of radioactive tracer.
3.The person will wait 15–30 minutes for the tracer to collect in the liver tissue. If it takes longer, a person may need to return the next day for the scan.
4.The person will lie still on the scanning table. The radiologist will place a large camera above the person. This camera will scan for the gamma rays emitted by the tracer and record images.
5.The healthcare professional may reposition the person during the scan to obtain different views of the surfaces of the liver.
A person should get up slowly from the scanning table to avoid feeling lightheaded.
A healthcare professional will likely instruct the person to drink plenty of fluids and empty their bladder frequently for the next 24 hours to help flush out any remaining radioactive tracer from the body.
A healthcare professional will inspect the IV site for any discoloration, pain, or swelling. These could signal an infection or allergic reaction. If a person notices any of these symptoms when they are home, they should contact a healthcare professional.
A person may resume their regular activities unless advised otherwise. A doctor may give additional or different instructions depending on the person’s situation and condition.
A liver scan is a type of nuclear imaging that can help doctors assess liver function and diagnose various liver conditions. It can also aid in monitoring a person’s response to treatment and progression of certain conditions. The procedure is noninvasive and causes no pain. It also requires minimal preparation.
A fibroscan is a type of ultrasound to measure inflammation in your liver. It helps your doctor to: understand how much scarring (fibrosis) is in your liver. plan your treatment. Having a fibroscan is quick and painless.
A liver scan is an imaging test to look at your liver and see how well it's working. This test may also be called a liver-spleen scan because the healthcare provider often looks at the spleen at the same time.
Overview. What is a liver ultrasound? A liver ultrasound is a simple and painless imaging test of your liver and the surrounding area. Healthcare providers use ultrasound to screen for liver diseases. An ultrasound, or sonogram, takes pictures of the inside of your body by bouncing high-frequency sound waves off your organs.
You might need to have imaging tests (such as ultrasound, a CT scan or an MRI scan) or an endoscopic procedure (where a tiny camera is used to investigate what’s going on inside the body) to enable doctors to get the full picture.
