Neonatal Biliary Scan

A Neonatal Biliary Scan looks at the liver and bile ducts. This test will show if and where bile flow is blocked.

Preparation

Your doctor will decide if a premedication is required before this test. Your child can eat and drink as usual the morning of this test. This test will take up to 2 days to complete.  There are two parts during day 1 and one part on Day 2. You will be given specific return times for each part.

A parent or guardian may stay with the child at all times. Siblings are not allowed in the room during the test. Eating and drinking is not allowed in the room.

What to expect

Day 1 Part 1

Your child will need Intravenous (IV) access for this procedure.  An IV is a needle that is inserted into a vein, most often in the arm or back of the hand.  A very small amount of radioactive medicine will be given through the IV.   This medicine allows us to take pictures of the liver and bile ducts.

• Your child will lie down on a narrow bed and a seat belt will go across their body for safety and to help them remain still while pictures are taken with a special camera.
• Pictures will begin as soon as the injection is complete.
• Your child should not feel any discomfort during the scan.
• This will take up to 90 minutes to complete.

Day 1 Part 2

The second part of the test takes 20 minutes to complete. A diaper change may be required before imaging starts.

Day 2

This part will take about 30 minutes to complete. A diaper change may be required before imaging starts.

Post test

It is important to give your child fluids for the rest of the day to keep them hydrated and help the medicine leave the body quicker. The scan results are given by a doctor specialized in Nuclear Medicine and not by the technologist doing the test.  A report is sent to your doctor’s office, usually within 2-3 business days.

Please call the Nuclear Medicine Department at 416-813-6065 if you have any questions about the procedure or if you need to change the appointment.