Heroin body packing: clearly discerning drug packets using CT
YANG Rui-meng1, LI Long2, LAI Sheng-sheng3, FENG Jie1, LIN Bing-quan1, YU Tian1, LUO Pei-lin2, XU Yi-kai1
1. Imaging Center, South Hospital, Guangzhou 510515, China; 2. Department of Radiology,Guangdong Provincial Corps Hospital, Chinese People’s Armed Police Forces, Guangzhou 510515, China;3. Department of Medical Instrument, Guangdong Food and Drug Vocational College, Guangzhou 510520, China
Abstract：Objective: To determine the value of CT screening in detecting heroin packets hidden in body and to reveal the CT features. Methods: We collected 158 cases of suspected drug packers’ imaging materials(all underwent CT, 42 cases were imaged using plain X-ray film) from September 5th, 2005 to April 23rd, 2008. Abdominal-pelvic CT appearances(shape, size, number, location and density) and abdominal plain X-ray film manifestations were retrospectively observed for those who were finally confirmed as heroin body packers through the passing of evacuated drug packets. Results: Among 158 cases of suspected drug packers in our study, 124 cases were finally diagnosed as heroin body packers. This was consistent with the CT results. However, there were 2 false-negative cases of abdominal imaging taken with plain X-ray film. All of the evacuated heroin body packets were produced mechanically. CT and plain film characteristic findings included the presence of uniform shape, varied density, and well-defined round or ovoid intra-luminal foreign-body shadows arranged closely along the gastrointestinal tract and/or vagina. We also found that the “air-ring sign” and “onion sign” were valuable characteristics that were seen on the CT scan, which helped to positively confirm the detection of heroin packets. Conclusion: Heroin body packing has clearly defined diagnostic features that can be seen with CT. Furthermore, conventional abdominal-pelvic CT is the imaging modality of choice in the evaluation of suspected body packers.
2009, Vol. 20 
