A "madd"-ening confounding: fruit seeds mimicking enteral drug concealment by computed tomography

Abstract

Objective: To highlight the similarity between madd fruit seeds and enteral drug concealment ("body packing") on computed tomography when evaluated by Hounsfield Units.

Case report: A 13-year-old girl from Senegal presented to the Emergency Department with severe abdominal pain. Examination showed right lower quadrant tenderness with rebound. Computed tomography scan of the abdomen and pelvis revealed smooth, well circumscribed, multiple intraluminal foreign bodies measuring up to 2 cm in size with Hounsfield Units measuring up to 200. The emergency department radiologist reported that these were suspicious for "body packer packets" of either opioids or cocaine, based on their appearance and Hounsfield Unit characteristics. Dietary history later revealed consuption of madd fruit (Saba senegalensis) seeds, which can cause bezoar formation and intestinal obstruction.

Conclusion: Madd fruit seeds may appear similar to drug packets on computed tomography with similar Hounsfield Unit characteristics. History and clinical context are paramount to avoid misdiagnosis.

Keywords: Madd Fruit; Saba Senegalensis; body packer packet mimics; hounsfield units.