OBJECTIVE: Radiologists and other clinicians are facing an increasing number of illegal drug-related medical conditions. We aimed to draw attention to this growing global problem and to highlight some of the important points related to diagnosis and follow-up of body packing. We compare the diagnostic performance of unenhanced multidetector CT (MDCT) and abdomen X-ray for the detection of drug-filled packets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-seven suspects, who underwent both CT and X-ray examinations, have been included in the study. All MDCT and X-ray images were independently and retrospectively reviewed by two observers with different degrees of experience in abdomen imaging. Fifty-two of them were identified as body packers finally. Interobserver agreement, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value were calculated. RESULTS: Two types of packets with different characteristics were identified in all body packers. Type 1 packets (solid-state drug) were found in 41 patients and type 2 packets (liquid cocaine) in 11 patients. All statistical analyses concern the detection of any packets. That is, the whole evaluation has been performed per patient. Sensitivity/specificity values of type 1 and type 2 packets for MDCT were 100-98%/100-100% and 100-100%/100-100%, respectively. Besides, sensitivity/specificity values of type 1 and type 2 packets for X-ray were 93-90%/100-91% and 64-45%/73-71%, respectively. In addition, interobserver agreements for detection of any packets were excellent (κ=0.96) and good (κ=0.75) for interpretation of MDCT and X-ray, respectively. CONCLUSION: Unenhanced MDCT is a fast, accurate and easily used diagnostic tool with high sensitivity and specificity for the exact diagnosis of body packing.
OBJECTIVE: Radiologists and other clinicians are facing an increasing number of illegal drug-related medical conditions. We aimed to draw attention to this growing global problem and to highlight some of the important points related to diagnosis and follow-up of body packing. We compare the diagnostic performance of unenhanced multidetector CT (MDCT) and abdomen X-ray for the detection of drug-filled packets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-seven suspects, who underwent both CT and X-ray examinations, have been included in the study. All MDCT and X-ray images were independently and retrospectively reviewed by two observers with different degrees of experience in abdomen imaging. Fifty-two of them were identified as body packers finally. Interobserver agreement, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value were calculated. RESULTS: Two types of packets with different characteristics were identified in all body packers. Type 1 packets (solid-state drug) were found in 41 patients and type 2 packets (liquid cocaine) in 11 patients. All statistical analyses concern the detection of any packets. That is, the whole evaluation has been performed per patient. Sensitivity/specificity values of type 1 and type 2 packets for MDCT were 100-98%/100-100% and 100-100%/100-100%, respectively. Besides, sensitivity/specificity values of type 1 and type 2 packets for X-ray were 93-90%/100-91% and 64-45%/73-71%, respectively. In addition, interobserver agreements for detection of any packets were excellent (κ=0.96) and good (κ=0.75) for interpretation of MDCT and X-ray, respectively. CONCLUSION: Unenhanced MDCT is a fast, accurate and easily used diagnostic tool with high sensitivity and specificity for the exact diagnosis of body packing.
Authors: Oshry Mozes; Larisa Guranda; Orith Portnoy; Sara Apter; Eli Konen; Michal M Amitai Journal: Forensic Sci Med Pathol Date: 2014-10-19 Impact factor: 2.007
Authors: Joel Aissa; Johannes Boos; Christian Rubbert; Julian Caspers; Christoph Schleich; Christoph Thomas; Patric Kröpil; Gerald Antoch; Falk Miese Journal: Forensic Sci Med Pathol Date: 2017-03-07 Impact factor: 2.007
Authors: A Pinto; A Reginelli; F Pinto; G Sica; M Scaglione; F H Berger; L Romano; L Brunese Journal: Br J Radiol Date: 2014-02-03 Impact factor: 3.039
Authors: Joel Aissa; Edwin Bölke; Lino M Sawicki; Elisabeth Appel; Christoph Thomas; Philipp Heusch; Martin Sedlmair; Karl Krzymyk; Patric Kröpil; Gerald Antoch; Johannes Boos Journal: Eur J Med Res Date: 2018-12-07 Impact factor: 2.175