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Hida Biliary Scan

This scan evaluates your biliary system’s function. It is used to assess the function of your gallbladder or to evaluate issues post-gallbladder-removal surgery (cholecystectomy).

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR MY EXAM?

  • Please notify your technologist if there is a chance you may be pregnant, or if you are nursing. If you are pregnant, the exam will need to be postponed. If you are uncertain, a blood test will be required to confirm you are not pregnant prior to starting the exam. This may delay or postpone your appointment if not obtained in advance. If you are nursing, you will be given further instructions regarding breastfeeding.
  • Please ensure you have had NO barium studies within the week prior to your test.
  • Don’t eat, drink, smoke, or chew anything six hours prior to your exam.
  • If you are diabetic, please do not eat or drink four hours before your exam.
  • Don’t take any medication four hours before your exam.
  • This test will take 2-3 hours, so wear comfortable clothing free of large metal buttons.
  • Please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment to allow enough time to check in with reception.
  • Please let your technologist know if you are claustrophobic prior to the start of the exam.
  • Bring photo identification, your provincial health card, and your requisition.
  • Please do not bring children who require supervision.
  • If you are on any of the following medications, please let your technologist know:
    • Atropine
    • Benzodiazepines (e.g., Lorazepam, Diazepam)
    • Calcium-Channel Blockers (e.g., Amlodipine, Diltiazem, Nifedipine, Verapamil)
    • Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonists (e.g., Ranitidine)
    • Indomethacin
    • Octreotide
    • Progesterone
    • Theophylline

WHAT HAPPENS DURING MY EXAM?

  • You will be asked to empty your bladder before the exam begins and then lie on your back on the imaging bed.
  • Your technologist will position the gamma camera over your abdominal area and inject a radioactive material (radiopharmaceutical) into a vein in your arm.
  • This radiopharmaceutical is taken up by the liver and transported to the biliary system and gallbladder.
  • Imaging will begin immediately after your injection and continue for 60 minutes.
  • While the images are being acquired, try to hold as still as you can. You may breathe normally, but movement may blur the images, making them more difficult to interpret. Please let your technologist know if you are not comfortably positioned on the bed.
  • The scan is painless, and, if necessary, you will be able to talk to your technologist during the procedure.
  • If the gallbladder has filled up with the radiopharmaceutical within 60 minutes, you will be asked to drink Ensure plus. This will encourage your gallbladder to contract.
  • You will drink the Ensure plus, wait 15 minutes, and then images will be taken for 60 minutes.
  • You will be required to stay in the clinic for the duration of the study, which will take approximately 2-3 hours.
  • If you’ve had your gallbladder surgically removed (a cholecystectomy), the technique for the study will be slightly different. This study will take approximately one-and-a-half hours.

POST-EXAM INSTRUCTIONS

The radiopharmaceutical is excreted from the body through your urine. Keeping hydrated and voiding frequently will help eliminate it from your body.

WHEN WILL I GET MY RESULTS?

We do our best to have the specialized nuclear medicine physician interpret the data and forward the results to your doctor by the next business day. Please consult with your doctor regarding your results and any follow up exams or questions.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

This exam is covered under your Alberta Health Care Plan. It is not currently offered at our Saskatchewan clinics.

PLEASE NOTE:

Please bring the following to your appointment: a valid government-issued ID, your provincial health card, and your exam requisition (if you have received one).

FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT

Please ensure that you bring your requisition with you to your appointment.

DURATION

2-3 hours

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Online Appointment Request

What We Do

At the heart of everything we do is a belief that every image tells a story—and every story deserves care.

At Mayfair Diagnostics, we provide state-of-the-art medical imaging that helps patients and physicians get the clarity they need to make informed decisions about health. From routine check-ups to complex diagnoses, our role is to deliver answers with compassion and accuracy.

We offer a full spectrum of imaging services, including:

  • MRI, CT, and X-Ray for advanced diagnostic insight

  • Ultrasound and Mammography for preventative and women’s health

  • Nuclear Medicine, Bone Density, and Cardiac Imaging for specialized care

  • Pain Management and Interventional Procedures to improve quality of life

But our work extends beyond exams and equipment. As the largest teleradiology provider in Western Canada, we connect urban, rural, and remote communities with expert radiology services—ensuring access to care when and where it’s needed most.

We also partner with local organizations, sports teams, and community groups to keep people healthy and active. From professional athletes to families booking their first screening, our commitment is the same: timely results, advanced technology, and compassionate care.

Who We Are.

To improve lives with clarity, compassion, and care—one focused image at a time.

But numbers only tell part of the story. What truly defines us is our culture of compassion. We’re a team of caregivers, innovators, and problem-solvers who share a commitment to excellence. Whether supporting frontline care, developing new technology workflows, or guiding a patient through their appointment, we approach our work with empathy and integrity.

At Mayfair, you’re not just part of a company—you’re part of a community. Together, we’re shaping the future of health care, making advanced imaging accessible, and creating a workplace where people feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow.

The Inside Story

WHO WE ARE. WHAT WE DO. Why we’re more than a workplace

At Mayfair Diagnostics, we’re caregivers, nurturers, creators and thought leaders—deeply rooted in a passion to help people. We deliver meaningful work, compassionate care, and an environment where every team member can thrive.

Key Points:

  • Founded on over a century of excellence in medical imaging.

  • Owned and operated by 50+ radiologists, supported by 400–640+ employees across clinical, technical, administrative, and support roles.

  • Operating 17 locations across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and beyond (14 in Calgary, plus Cochrane, Regina, Saskatoon).

  • Serving 600,000–700,000 patients annually, delivering over 90,000 radiological interpretations—the largest teleradiology provider in Western Canada.

Vision & Mission:

  • Vision: “A world in which every person has clarity about their health.”

  • Mission: “To improve people’s lives, one focused image and one caring, compassionate human touch at a time.”