Top

Published in:

01-06-2012 | Pictorial essay

Characteristic imaging features of body packers: a pictorial essay

Authors: Suzana Ab Hamid, Saiful Nizam Abd Rashid, Suraini Mohd Saini

Published in: Japanese Journal of Radiology | Issue 5/2012

Abstract

The drug-trafficking business has risen tremendously because of the current increased demand for illegal narcotics. The smugglers conceal the drugs in their bodies (body packers) in order to bypass the tight security at international borders. A suspected body packer will normally be sent to the hospital for imaging investigations to confirm the presence of drugs in the body. Radiologists, therefore, need to be familiar with and able to identify drug packets within the human body because they shoulder the legal responsibilities. This pictorial essay describes the characteristic imaging features of drug packets within the gastrointestinal tract.

Hergan K, Kofler K, Wolfgang O. Drug smuggling by body packing: what radiologists should know about it. Eur Radiol. 2004;14:736–42.PubMedCrossRef

Prabhu R, Ne’eman A, Bier K, Patel N. Radiology of body packers: the detection of internally concealed illegal materials. Appl Radiol. 2008;5:26–8.

Yang RM, Li L, Feng J, Lai SS, Lin BQ, Yu T, et al. Heroin body packing: clearly discerning drug packets using CT. South Med J. 2009;102(5):470–5.PubMedCrossRef

Niewiarowski S, Gogbashian A, Afaq A, Kantor R, Win Z. Abdominal X-ray signs of intra-intestinal drug smuggling. J Forensic Leg Med. 2010;17:198–202.PubMedCrossRef

Wackerle B, Rupp N, von Clarmann M, Kahn T, Heller H, Feurbach S. Demonstration of narcotic packages in “body packers” by various imaging methods. In vitro and in vivo investigations. Fortschr Roengenstr. 1986;145:274–7.CrossRef

Schmidt S, Hugli O, Rizzo E, Lepori D, Gudinchet F, Yersin B, et al. Detection of ingested cocaine-filled packets: diagnostic value of unenhanced CT. Eur J Radiol. 2008;67(1):133–8.PubMedCrossRef

Israelit SH, Brook OR, Molnar R, Krausz MM. CT of cocaine carrier—“body packer”—interpretation requirements. Eur J Radiol Extra. 2009;72:e1–3.CrossRef

Traub SJ, Hoffman RS, Nelson LS. Body packing: the internal concealment of illicit drugs. N Engl J Med. 2003;349:2519–26.PubMedCrossRef

Meijer R, Bots ML. Detection of intestinal drug containers by ultrasound scanning: an airport screening tool. Eur Radiol. 2003;13:1313–5.

Title: Characteristic imaging features of body packers: a pictorial essay
Authors: Suzana Ab Hamid
Saiful Nizam Abd Rashid
Suraini Mohd Saini
Publication date: 01-06-2012
Publisher: Springer Japan
Published in: Japanese Journal of Radiology / Issue 5/2012
Print ISSN: 1867-1071
Electronic ISSN: 1867-108X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11604-012-0069-4

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Characteristic imaging features of body packers: a pictorial essay

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 5/2012

Use of n-butyl cyanoacrylate in abdominal and pelvic embolotherapy: indications and techniques, complications, and their management

Role of sonographic elastography in the differential diagnosis of papillary lesions in breast

Radiological analysis of a naturally mummified body

Perineural spread of endometriosis along the obturator nerve into the adductor thigh compartment

Where is the most common site of DVT? Evaluation by CT venography

Ruptured renal artery aneurysm: coil packing with GDCs