Help needed

Hello guys

I am looking to have a HIDA Scan done privately in another country close to mine. I currently live in Denmark (Europe) and it is not a procedure that is done over here. Most doctors I have spoken to, don't even know it exists!

I have had issues for 8 years and been trying to figure out what the problem is since 2015. Everything points towards gallbladder disease, it just can't be proven because I have no stones.

I have had endoscopies, colonoscopy, CBC, three ultrasounds, CT w/wo contrast, and now I just finished a fecal fat test and an MRCP. I, unfortunately, don't have high hopes for the MRCP, since nothing else has shown up prior to this. I have been trying to push for a HIDA scan for 10 months, but its impossible. I can't even find private hospitals who do the procedure here. I have to look elsewhere.

Any suggestions on good hospitals around EU who are able to do a HIDA scan?

Thank you.

Hi John:
Sphincter of Odi dysfunction might be a source of your gallbladder woes. In this case, the sphincter that regulates release of bile from the gall bladder is out of synch and spasms. The symptoms of Sphincter of Odi dysfunction mimic those of gall bladder disease due to stones.

Laproscopic cholecystectomy is now considered a relatively benign surgery. In many hospitals here in the United States, it is done as an out-patient procedure. In at 6 am and discharged to home at 6 pm.

Discuss Sphincter of Odi with your attending physician. Perhaps a "simple" laproscopic removal of your gall bladder would be more prudent than the difficulties in having to arrange for a HIDA scan out of your area.

I have a friend who had increasingly severe gall-bladder type symptoms. However, her HIDA scan was not grossly abnormal. The surgeon agreed to remove her gall bladder based on her symptomatology. Gross pathology of her gall bladder showed extensive thickening of the walls of the gall bladder, no stones, and thickening of the Sphincter of Odi. She is now 5 weeks post surgery and doing well. No further gall bladder type symptoms. For her, laproscopic cholecystectomy was the right choice despite a fairly normal HIDA scan.

The learning: Not all diagnostic testing is in itself definitive.
- Karen -

Tomjohn can you be seen by another physician for a 2nd opinion? I know nothing about about your healthcare system but if possible I would try for another dr opinion.

Take care.

Hi tomjohn that kind of surprises me that they don't do the HIDA Scan in your country it's a common test here in the states and is just about considered the gold standard in tests when the gallery bladder is suspected of causing the problems. It's been quite a few years ago now that I was having problems and the HIDA Scan showed my gallbladder wasn't functioning so I had laporascopic surgery and they removed it. A colonoscopy and endoscopy might show problems with or in the intestinal tract but I personally don't see how these procedures would show any problems with the gallbladder its self??? The HIDA Scan is a relatively simple test, I do hope you can find some where you can get it Done!

Good luck to You! And Welcome to the Forum!

White Beard