Citation

Sica G, Guida F, Bocchini G, Iaselli F, Iadevito I, Scaglione M. Semin. Ultrasound CT MR 2015; 36(1): 39-47.

Affiliation

Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Pineta Grande Medical Center, Castel Volturno, Caserta, Italy. Electronic address: mscaglione@tiscali.it.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1053/j.sult.2014.10.003

PMID

25639176

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.

Language: en