Risks

A HIDA scan carries only a few risks. They include:

• Allergic reaction to medications containing radioactive tracers used for the scan
• Bruising at the injection site
• Radiation exposure, which is small

Tell your doctor if there's a chance you could be pregnant or if you're breastfeeding. In most cases, nuclear medicine tests, such as the HIDA scan, aren't performed in pregnant women because of potential harm to the baby.