[css] :before and background-image... should it work?

The problem with other answers here is that they use position: absolute;

This makes it difficult to layout the element itself in relation to the ::before pseudo-element. For example, if you wish to show an image before a link like this: enter image description here

Here's how I was able to achieve the layout in the picture:

_x000D_
_x000D_
a::before {_x000D_
  content: "";_x000D_
  float: left;_x000D_
  width: 16px;_x000D_
  height: 16px;_x000D_
  margin-right: 5px;_x000D_
  background: url(../../lhsMenu/images/internal_link.png) no-repeat 0 0;_x000D_
  background-size: 80%;_x000D_
}
_x000D_
_x000D_
_x000D_

Note that this method allows you to scale the background image, as well as keep the ability to use margins and padding for layout.