Nuclear Liver Imaging

Your physician has referred you to the Diagnostic Imaging Department at United Hospital Center for a procedure known as a liver scan.

The indications for liver imaging include the diagnosis of hepatomegaly (liver enlargement) versus abdominal masses, evaluation for liver metastases in patients with known malignancies, work-up of patients with cirrhosis or hepatitis, diagnosis of patients with jaundice, trauma patients with suspected liver rupture or hematoma.

No actual preparation is necessary, however, you should not have had any x-ray studies in which you received barium within 5-7 days of your liver scan.

You will be injected, in a vein in your arm, with a small amount of radioactive material which concentrates in the liver. A series of pictures will then be taken in different positions.

LENGTH: Approximately 45 minutes

If you are pregnant, or think you might be, tell your doctor and the technologist BEFORE your exam.