Displacement of left kidney suggesting adrenal tumor

Several infants with a left suprarenal "cold spot" shown on technetium scintiphotos were also found to have inferior displacement of the left kidney on the urogram. Surgical exploration was considered on the basis of possible adrenal tumor; however, the highly suspicious "lesion" disappeared after gastric deflation, and it was recreated after gastric distention. Review of infant urograms has shown that gastric distention is a common cause of a "normal" low-lying left kidney, in clear distinction to the adult in whom a displaced left kidney frequently shows a pathologic condition.