title: Systematic review of the toxicological and radiological features of body packing.
abstract: Body packing is the term used for the intracorporeal concealment of illicit drugs, mainly cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and cannabinoids. These drugs are produced in the form of packages and are swallowed or placed in various anatomical cavities and body orifices. Basing on these two ways of transportation a distinction between body stuffers and body pushers can be made, with the former described as drug users or street dealers who usually carry small amounts of drugs and the latter as professional drug couriers who carry greater amounts of drugs. A review of the literature regarding body packing is presented, with the aim to highlight the toxicological and radiological features related to this illegal practice. Raising awareness about the encountered mean body levels of the drugs and the typical imaging signs of the incorporated packages could be useful for clinicians and forensic pathologists to (a) identify possible unrecognized cases of body packing and (b) prevent the serious health consequences and deaths frequently occurring after the packages' leakage or rupture or the packages' mass obstructing the gastrointestinal lumen.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedic Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cappelletti
authors.affiliation: NESMOS (Neuroscience, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs) Department, School of Medicine and Psychology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy. daria.piacentino@uniroma1.it.
authors.forename: Daria
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Piacentino
authors.affiliation: NESMOS (Neuroscience, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs) Department, School of Medicine and Psychology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sani
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedic Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Edoardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bottoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedic Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola Antonella
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Fiore
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedic Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Mariarosaria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aromatario
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedic Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Costantino
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ciallella
mesh_terms: D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D064423:Drug Trafficking; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D044707:Forensic Sciences; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs
keywords: Body packing; Death; Health consequences; Imaging; Radiology; Toxicology