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.
Abdominal X-ray - Abnormal soft tissues and bones
Solid organs
Key points
- If enlarged the solid organs of the abdomen may displace bowel
Hepatomegaly
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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 (arrows)
- The spleen is also mildly enlarged
Massive splenomegaly
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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
Enlarged kidneys
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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