New packaging methods of body packers: Role of advanced imaging in their detection. A case study
Autor: | Claude Pierre-Jerome, Usama M.H. Al Bastaki, Shaikh Sayeed Iqbal, Ayoub Ahmad Abedzadeh |
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Jazyk: | angličtina |
Rok vydání: | 2019 |
Předmět: |
Diagnostic Imaging
lcsh:Medical physics. Medical radiology. Nuclear medicine Body packer business.industry Imaging modalities lcsh:R895-920 Body Packers medicine.disease 030218 nuclear medicine & medical imaging 03 medical and health sciences 0302 clinical medicine Radiological weapon Body Packing Hollow viscus medicine Illicit drug smuggling Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging Medical emergency business 030217 neurology & neurosurgery |
Zdroj: | Radiology Case Reports, Vol 14, Iss 5, Pp 627-633 (2019) Radiology Case Reports |
ISSN: | 1930-0433 |
Popis: | Body packing is one of the common ways to traffic illicit drugs. Drug mules usually swallow or insert drugs within the gastrointestinal tract or other orifices. Detection of such drug packets has become difficult because of the constantly improving packaging techniques and the sophistication used by traffickers. Suspected obstruction or perforated hollow viscus requires employment of appropriate radiological procedures and techniques for accurate detection and precise diagnosis. A delay diagnosis and inappropriate action may carry disastrous physical consequences for the body packers. It is crucial for radiologists to acquire enough experience to deduce different types of drug packets from their imaging characteristics and to accurately guide emergency physicians and security officials. The packets are not always radiodense, therefore they can be difficult to detect on conventional abdominal radiographs. In this report, the authors illustrate 5 cases with different packaging methods and materials that give rise to radiological challenges. Keywords: Body packer, Illicit drug smuggling, Imaging modalities |
Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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