1) To discuss the socio-economic background of drugs and the different ways of intra-corporeal transportation and packing materials used. 2) To elaborate on the different imaging techniques for detection of illicit drugs trafficking and the findings and the potential lack thereof with different types of imaging modalities. 3) To get familiarized with the complications that can occur and the imaging findings thereof.
The drugs industry is reported to make up to almost 1% of global GDP and 1/3 of the population has tried illicit drugs in their life, causing a staggering estimated 1 death per hour in Europe alone. Trafficking of drugs occurs by ingestion (body packers) or vaginal/rectal insertion (body pushers). As can be imagined, ingestion / insertion of packets of drugs can cause different kinds of clinical problems, depending on packaging material and type of drug. Detection of packets by screening methods as well as acute and subacute clinical conditions and the depiction thereof by different imaging modalities will be discussed. The participants of this RC will get to know the current developments in both the packets as well as the imaging of their features.
Berger, F,
Imaging of Drug Smuggling. Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL.
http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14002069.html
