Use of liposoluble contrast material to separate left renal and splenic parenchyma on computed tomography

A lobulated or accessory spleen lying against the upper pole of the left kidney may simulate renal tumor on computed tomograms. Water soluble contrast material is usually of little help in the differential diagnosis, since it increases the attenuation of both the kidney and the spleen. Intravenous liposoluble contrast material preferentially increases the attenuation of the liver and spleen and thus permits clear separation of the enhanced lobulated or accessory spleen from the unopacified renal parenchyma.