RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: to determine the advantages of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) over contrast-free studies in the differential diagnosis of hepatic, renal, and pancreatic space-occupying lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS. A team of experienced radiologists retrospectively used CT data of patients with different space-occupying lesions of the abdomen and retroperitoneal space (liver, kidney, and pancreas). RESULTS: The diagnostic value of CT of the liver, kidney, and pancreas substantially decreases without using radiopaque contrast agents; at the same time not only the differential diagnosis, but also visualization of some neoplasms are frequently impossible. CONCLUSION: The potential benefit of contrast-enhanced CT virtually always outweighs the risks associated with the injection of a contrast agent.