Plain film diagnosis of perirenal hemorrhage

The authors describes the plain film radiographic changes due to traumatic, perirenal hemorrhage in 43 patients. The direct effect of the hematoma: (1) partially or completely obscures the kidney; (2) usually obscures adjacent lumbar muscles, and (3) often produces a tilt of the lumbar spine to the affected side. The mass effect of the hematoma displaces adjacent organs and varies with its supra- or inframesocolic position.