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. 2011 Jun 28;3(6):155-8.
doi: 10.4329/wjr.v3.i6.155.

A body-packer with a cocaine bag stuck in the stomach

Yan Beauverd  1 , Pierre-Alexandre Poletti, Hans Wolff, Frédéric Ris, Jean-Marc Dumonceau, Bernice S Elger
Affiliations

A body-packer with a cocaine bag stuck in the stomach

Yan Beauverd et al. World J Radiol. .

Abstract

Management of patients carrying packets of drugs in the digestive tract is a frequent medical problem. We report on a patient who was referred by the police after ingestion of packets of cocaine. After spontaneous elimination of 81 drug packets, the patient had three unremarkable stools. A plain abdominal X-ray disclosed no residual packet but computed tomography (CT) scan showed one in the stomach. As this was not eliminated during the 10 d following ingestion, it was removed through gastrotomy. This case stresses the usefulness of the CT scan to ensure that no residual packet is present before hospital discharge.

Keywords: Body-packing; Cocaine; Gastroscopy; Management; Surgery.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Abdominal X-ray made at patient admission, showing multiple X-ray dense oval packets in the abdomen compatible with body packing.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Control abdominal X-ray after passage of three stools without packets, showing no residual packet.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Control abdominal computed tomography scan showing a single packet in the stomach that was not visible on the abdominal X-ray.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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