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Body packer

Case contributed by: Dr Stefan Götschi (MD)

Presentation:

Patient coming from South America and arrested by police officers at the airport for strage behaviour.

Patient Data:

Age: 25
Gender: Male
Race: Hispanic/Latino
From the case: Body packer

CT scan

Modality: CT

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CT scout


CT scan of the abdomen demonstrates numerous colonic (mainly descending and sigmoid colon and rectum) hyperdense oval foreign bodies, conistent with packets containing a radiodense powder - most probably cocaine

Case Discussion:

Strange behavior raised suspicion for rupture of a swallowed packet of cocaine; this was not the case. Apparently he always behaved strangely when he walked around with 300-500g of cocaine in his colon. Go figure. 

References:

  1. 1. Lancashire MJ, Legg PK, Lowe M et-al. Surgical aspects of international drug smuggling. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed). 1988;296 (6628): 1035-7. - Free text at pubmed - Pubmed citation

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