title: Imaging of drug smuggling by body packing.
abstract: Body packing, pushing, and stuffing are hazardous practices with complex medicolegal and social implications. A radiologist plays both a social and a medicolegal role in their assessment, and it should not be limited only to the identification of the packages but must also provide accurate information about their number and their exact location so as to prevent any package remains in the body packer. Radiologists must also be able to recognize the complications associated with these risky practices. Imaging assessment of body packing is performed essentially through plain abdominal X-ray and computed tomography scans. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, although with some advantages, actually have a limited use.
authors: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Pineta Grande Medical Center, Castel Volturno, Caserta, Italy.
authors: Giacomo
authors: G
authors: Sica
authors: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Pineta Grande Medical Center, Castel Volturno, Caserta, Italy.
authors: Franco
authors: F
authors: Guida
authors: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Pineta Grande Medical Center, Castel Volturno, Caserta, Italy.
authors: Giorgio
authors: G
authors: Bocchini
authors: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Pineta Grande Medical Center, Castel Volturno, Caserta, Italy.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Iaselli
authors: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Pineta Grande Medical Center, Castel Volturno, Caserta, Italy.
authors: Isabella
authors: I
authors: Iadevito
authors: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Pineta Grande Medical Center, Castel Volturno, Caserta, Italy. Electronic address: mscaglione@tiscali.it.
authors: Mariano
authors: M
authors: Scaglione
mesh_terms: D057237:Criminals; D064423:Drug Trafficking / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000032:analysis*; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs