Abdominal X-ray
Abnormal soft tissues/bones
Solid organs
Although ultrasound and CT are more informative means of imaging the solid organs of the abdomen, occasionally you will see evidence of enlarged organs on an abdominal X-ray.
Key points
- If enlarged the solid organs of the abdomen may displace bowel
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Hepatomegaly
- There is diffuse soft tissue density shadowing in the right upper quadrant due to hepatomegaly (liver enlargement)
- The enlarged liver has displaced the normal bowel downwards and to the left
- The spleen is also mildly enlarged
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Hover over image to show findings
Massive splenomegaly
- This patient with a myeloproliferative disorder has both hepatomegaly and massive splenomegaly
- There is generalised increase in soft tissue density but the bowel appears pushed away by the edge of the spleen
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Hover over image to show findings
Enlarged kidneys
- Both kidneys are very enlarged
- The bowel is not displaced because the kidneys are retroperitoneal structures
- This patient had a family history of polycystic kidneys
- This diagnosis was confirmed with ultrasound