FAQs
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You will need to have a very fatty meal prior – this is essential.
After the fatty meal you will need to fast for 4 hours.
You will need to bring someone with you to drive if you require morphine. Please note – if you require morphine it is not for pain relief but to relax the internal organs in specific circumstances. The scan itself is painless.
If there is any chance you may be pregnant or you are breastfeeding, please contact us directly for specific instructions.
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- On arrival you will have an IV placed into the arm.
- You will placed under the camera and an injection of tracer will be given via the IV. Once scanning starts you will need to remain still under the camera.
- Scanning occurs for about 1 hour initially (this can vary).
- On completion of initial imaging the scan will be reviewed. If morphine is used, or gallbladder emptying is required this will necessitate further imaging. This will usually take up to another 1-2 hours.
- There are no known side effects to the tracer used.
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A hepatobiliary scan typically takes approximately 1 hour, but can take longer depending on your body functions.
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Queensland X-Ray has the latest nuclear medicine equipment, with SPECT/CT available across all departments.
One of our nuclear medicine technologists will perform your hepatobiliary scan, under the supervision of one of our nuclear medicine specialists.
The images the technologist acquires are reviewed by a specialist who reports on the findings. The report will be sent to your referring doctor, who will explain the findings to you. Technologists performing the scan do not discuss scan results with you.
How much will it cost?
Fees for radiology procedures will vary depending on a variety of factors. We will advise you about the cost of your service at the time of booking but if you do have any questions, contact us and one of our team will be happy to help with your query. You can read more about our billing information here.
How do I access my images?
At Queensland X-Ray, we provide our patients with their images and results online. To access your images and results, you’ll need to register for an account when you visit one of our practices. If you’ve already registered, you can access the Patient Portal here.