Imaging of drug mules

Malhotra, Rhea; Singh, Ajay K.

doi:10.1007/s10140-021-01924-3

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…However, the presentation may not always be that simple, and patients may present with body Packer syndrome, which is a clinical diagnosis occurring due to the accidental opening of the packages inside the body or drug packages causing bowel obstruction [4]. Body Packer syndrome occurs in 5% of body packing patients, and the mortality rate may reach up to 56% [5]. Due to the high international demand for drugs and harsher international laws, drug traffickers actively search for new and less recognizable ways to distribute drugs, which makes it a challenge for emergency physicians to suspect and diagnose these cases [4,5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Body Packer syndrome occurs in 5% of body packing patients, and the mortality rate may reach up to 56% [5]. Due to the high international demand for drugs and harsher international laws, drug traffickers actively search for new and less recognizable ways to distribute drugs, which makes it a challenge for emergency physicians to suspect and diagnose these cases [4,5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Fatal Case of Opioid Body Packer Syndrome Presented with Seizures

Sarbay,

Şahin,

Beştemir

2023

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Body packing" involves concealing drugs filled in packets inside the body to traffic illicit drugs. Packets may leak and rupture, which may have drug-induced toxic effects. We present a case of a 25-year-old male patient brought to the emergency department because of a seizure during an international flight. He was diagnosed with status epilepticus, and tracheal intubation was performed; however, he had a cardiac arrest shortly after. Pinpoint pupils and unclear patient history led to naloxone administration. After successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the patient was examined using computed tomography, which revealed multiple foreign bodies in the distal bowels. Blood toxicology tests were positive for opiates and negative for heroin metabolites, amphetamine, cocaine, barbiturate, and benzodiazepine. An emergency colonoscopy was performed, and the patient remained in the intensive care unit for 17 days before he died of to complications of Body Packer syndrome. Early diagnosis and appropriate management of this rare but potentially fatal condition are vital to improve patient outcomes.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Fatal Case of Opioid Body Packer Syndrome Presented with Seizures

Sarbay,

Şahin,

Beştemir

2023

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Novel Strategies in Drug Concealment

de Carvalho Ponce

2024

Cases on Forensic and Criminological Science for Criminal Detection and Avoidance

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Drug concealment is a widespread tactic used by drug traffickers and distributors to hide their illegal cargo when transporting it within and across borders. Physical concealment – occluding visibility of the contents – is one of the simplest and most widely used methods. Imaging concealment – the attempt to avoid detection by coating drugs with layers or containers that reduce or impair interaction with electromagnetic detection techniques – is important when surveillance equipment, such as X-rays, is used. Drug traffickers may also attempt to carry drugs though body packing, i.e. ingesting or inserting drug packets into body cavities, which can represent a major health risk for those undertaking. More recently, drug traffickers have started using prodrugs and precursors as a strategy for transporting drugs across borders, which raises new challenges in drug classification and detection. It is important to adequately identify the strategies used, shortcomings in adequate detection, and update legislation to allow for the classification of chemically masked drugs of abuse.

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Foreign bodies in the rectum: clinical experience

Ilkanich,

Markaryan,

Garmanova

et al. 2024

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Background: Foreign bodies in the rectum are among the rarest conditions encountered in emergency surgery and can have various etiologies.Aim: To examine the patterns of injury, diagnostic methods, surgical options, and outcomes associated with foreign bodies of the rectum.Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis was conducted on the treatment outcomes of 47 patients with rectal foreign bodies who received care at various surgical hospitals in the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug — Ugra from 2019 to 2023. The study examined factors such as sex and age distribution, etiology, duration of the treatment period, diagnostic features, and types of medical interventions. The results of treatment and length of hospital stay were also assessed. A criminal history was noted in only one patient (2.1 %). The insertion of a foreign body into the rectum for sexual pleasure was reported by 42 patients (89.4 %). Non-sexual causes were responsible for the condition in 4 patients (8.5 %).Results. In the analysed group there were 29 (61.7 %) young people, 9 (19.1 %) middle-aged people, 8 (17.0 %) elderly people, and one (2.2 %) in the senior age group. The average age of the patients was 42 ± 13 years. There were 33 men (70.2 %) and 14 women (29.8 %). In the first 3 hours, 10 (21.3 %) people sought medical treatment, after 1—3 days — 34 (72.3 %) patients, and after 4 days — 3 (6.4 %) patients. In most cases, in 42 (89.3 %) patients, the foreign body was removed transanally. If transanal removal was impossible, laparotomy was performed in 5 (10.6 %) patients.Conclusion. Sexual gratification was the most common reason for the insertion of a foreign body into the rectum. To prevent perforation and improve the prognosis of this pathological condition, timely diagnosis and treatment are necessary

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Imaging of drug mules

Cited by 3 publications

References 13 publications

A Fatal Case of Opioid Body Packer Syndrome Presented with Seizures

A Fatal Case of Opioid Body Packer Syndrome Presented with Seizures

Novel Strategies in Drug Concealment

Foreign bodies in the rectum: clinical experience

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