What does the absence of gallbladder visualization in HIDA suggest?

The absence of gallbladder visualization in a HIDA scan indicates the presence of gallbladder obstruction or disease. In a HIDA scan, a radiotracer is injected into the bloodstream, and its uptake by the liver and subsequent visualization in the gallbladder and small intestine provides information about the function of these organs.

When the gallbladder is not visualized, it suggests that the radiotracer is unable to enter the gallbladder, which can occur for several reasons. One common reason is the presence of obstruction, such as a gallstone blocking the cystic duct. Alternatively, it may indicate acute cholecystitis, where the gallbladder is inflamed and potentially unable to concentrate the tracer. Other possible conditions include chronic cholecystitis or extreme cases of gallbladder atrophy.

In contrast, the visualization of the liver and bile ducts without the gallbladder does not necessarily speak to normal liver function or the presence of excess fluid retention; those possibilities do not explain the absence of gallbladder uptake. Instead, they focus on different aspects of liver anatomy or fluid balance, which are not directly relevant to the question of gallbladder function in this context. Thus, the interpretation of the HIDA