An unexpected computed tomography finding in a suspected body packer.

INTRODUCTION

Computed tomography can be used to screen and diagnose the presence of drug-filled packets in the body. We present an unusual computed tomography finding in a suspected body packer.

CASE SUMMARY

A traveller suspected of being a body packer was brought to the emergency department complaining of low back pain. On examination, there was an abdominal cast circumferentially encasing his abdomen, which he alleged was part of the management of his lower back pain in his own country.

IMAGES

A plain computed tomogram of the abdomen and pelvis revealed that the cast was made of materials with a nodular appearance and heterogeneous density, which was different from that of a plaster of Paris cast. An investigation later confirmed the cast contained cocaine.

CONCLUSION

Our case demonstrates how a body packer can traffic drugs outside their body for an alleged medical reason.