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Detection of body packing by magnetic resonance imaging: a new diagnostic tool?

Mesut Bulakci1, Bora Ozbakir, Adem Kiris

  • 1Department of Radiology, Haseki Training and Research Hospital, Aksaray, Istanbul, Turkey. mesutbulakci@yahoo.com

Abdominal Imaging
|December 11, 2012
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Non-contrast MRI effectively detects body packing, identifying both solid and liquid drug packets within the abdomen. This imaging method is a reliable diagnostic tool for body packers.

Area of Science:

  • Radiology
  • Forensic Imaging

Background:

  • Body packing is the illicit transport of drugs internally.
  • Accurate diagnosis is crucial for patient management and legal proceedings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To detail non-contrast abdominal MRI findings in body packers.
  • To highlight MRI's diagnostic utility in identifying internal drug concealment.

Main Methods:

  • Performed non-contrast abdominopelvic MRI on 16 suspected body packers.
  • Evaluated packet presence, location, shape, and signal characteristics on T1- and T2-weighted images.

Main Results:

  • Successfully diagnosed body packing in 13 out of 16 individuals.
  • Identified two packet types: solid (10 cases) and liquid cocaine (3 cases).
  • Achieved accurate diagnosis for all identified body packing cases, with one false positive.

Conclusions:

  • Abdominopelvic MRI is a dependable and valuable imaging modality for diagnosing body packing.
  • Non-contrast MRI provides clear visualization of internal drug packets.

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