title: [Complications of intestinal transporting of cocaine packets. Study of 215 cases].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To analyse clinical manifestations, diagnosis and management in the "body packer syndrome".
  
  
  METHODS
  We collected 215 patients who had ingested packets of cocaine.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bowel obstruction, haemorrhagic complications and seizures were observed in 5.1, 4.2 and 2.3%, respectively. Toxic manifestations of cocaine occurred in 4 patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiographs of abdomen are necessary for diagnosis and follow-up. Close surveillance in necessary to identify intestinal obstruction or acute intoxication by cocaine.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina Interna, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gómez Antúnez
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cuenca Carvajal
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Farfán Sedano
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Villalba
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: del Toro Cervera
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: García Castaño
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003042:Cocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000633:toxicity; D003415:Crime; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D003042:Cocaine