title: [The gastrointestinal concealment of illegal drugs].
abstract: The clinical, radiological and analytical aspects, and the complications observed in 16 cases of swallowing or insertion into the rectum of illicit drugs ("body-packing") are described. The drugs detected were heroin (6 cases), cocaine (5 cases) and cannabis (5 cases). In 15 cases abdominal plain X-rays were useful in the detection of the drug packages, their position and progression in the gastrointestinal tract and the presence of complications. The most valuable finding for radiologic diagnosis was the presence of a radiolucent halo surrounding the drug packages, or "double condom" sign, which was observed in 13/15 cases (87%). Urine analysis was positive for opiates or metabolites of cocaine in 7/9 cases (78%). One case presented acute heroin intoxication and three subjects gastric or intestinal obstruction requiring surgical treatment. In another case a packet, which had been retained in the stomach for five days, was extracted by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy using a Dormia basket with no complications.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Radiodiagnóstico, Hospital Clínico y Provincial, Barcelona.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Luburich
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Santamaría
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Tomás
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nogué
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pujol
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pomés
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bordas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002188:Cannabis; D003042:Cocaine; D004064:Digestive System / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D003932:Heroin; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs; D003932:Heroin; D003042:Cocaine
vernacular_title: Ocultación gastrointestinal de drogas ilegales.