Gallbladder

The gallbladder is a muscular sac located under the liver. It stores and concentrates the bile produced in the liver that is not immediately needed for digestion. Bile is released from the gallbladder into the small intestine in response to food. The pancreatic duct joins the common bile duct at the small intestine adding enzymes to aid in digestion.

Gallbladder Radionuclide Scan

The gallbladder radionuclide scan is performed by injecting a tracer (radioactive chemical) into the bloodstream. A gamma camera is used to perform the scan. The camera will detect the gamma rays being emitted from the tracer, and the image of where the tracer is found in the organs is transmitted to a computer. This test is very good for detecting acute infection (cholecystitis) or blockage of a bile duct. It is also helpful in determining whether there is rejection of a transplanted liver.