Case-based illustrative series of hepatobiliary scintigraphy in biliary disorders

Sahafi, Pegah; Samadi, Mohammad Hadi; Elahifard, Haniye; Askari, Emran; Shahvarani, Seyed Amir; Sadeghi, Ramin

doi:10.22034/irjnm.2026.130522.1759

Case-based illustrative series of hepatobiliary scintigraphy in biliary disorders

Articles in Press

Document Type : Case Report

Authors

Pegah Sahafi ¹

Mohammad Hadi Samadi ¹

Haniye Elahifard ¹

Emran Askari ¹

Seyed Amir Shahvarani ²

Ramin Sadeghi ¹

¹ Nuclear Medicine Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

² Surgical Oncology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

10.22034/irjnm.2026.130522.1759

Abstract

Hepatobiliary scintigraphy continues to play a central role in nuclear medicine, serving as an essential tool for evaluating bile flow and diagnosing a wide variety of conditions that affect the biliary system. This imaging technique remains invaluable because it provides functional as well as anatomical information, allowing clinicians to assess both normal physiology and pathologic changes. The atlas highlights classic diagnostic patterns while also drawing attention to potential pitfalls that can complicate interpretation. A wide spectrum of disorders can be evaluated with hepatobiliary scintigraphy, including acute and chronic cholecystitis, bile leaks following surgery, choledochal cysts, and a range of postoperative complications. By presenting real clinical examples, the atlas demonstrates how integrating patient history with advanced imaging approaches such as SPECT/CT can significantly improve diagnostic confidence. Successful interpretation requires meticulous attention to subtle imaging findings, a thorough understanding of hepatobiliary anatomy, and consideration of the patient’s surgical history to ensure an accurate diagnosis and the best possible care.

Keywords

HIDA scan

Cholescintigraphy

Nuclear medicine

Biliary perforation

SPECT/CT

Subjects

Nuclear Medicine

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