Cholescintigraphy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis. Cholescintigraphy is an alternative method of imaging and uses technetium-labeled hepatic 2,6-dimethyl-iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) in difficult cases or uncertain diagnosis. Findings on a cholescintigraphy diagnostic of acute cholecystitis include lack of visualization of the gallbladder.

• Cholescintigraphy which utilizes technetium-labeled hepatic 2,6-dimethyl-iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) is the gold standard for the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis. Cholescintigraphy is used in difficult cases or uncertain diagnosis.^[1][2][3][4]
  • Findings on a cholescintigraphy diagnostic of acute cholecystitis include:
    • No visualization of the gallbladder

• Advantages of cholescintigraphy include:^[1]
  • Superior sensitivity to ultrasound

• Limitations of cholescintigraphy include:^[1]
  • Expensive
  • Time consuming
  • Radiation exposure
  • Requires skilled staff