Body Packing: from Seizures to Laparotomy

Overview

Journal Case Rep Emerg Med

Specialty Emergency Medicine

Date 2015 Apr 18

PMID 25883813

Citations 2

Authors

Joanna M Janczak

Ulrich Beutner

Karin Hasler

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Body packing is a common method for illegal drug trafficking. Complications associated with body packing can be severe and even lead to rapid death. Thus, a timely diagnosis is warranted. As most body packers initially do not show any symptoms, making a correct diagnosis can be rather challenging. We describe a case of a 41-year-old male, who was admitted with an epileptic seizure and who turned out to be a cocaine intoxicated body packer. Due to neurological and cardiovascular deterioration an emergency surgery was performed. Four bags of cocaine could be removed. We discuss the current management regimen in symptomatic and asymptomatic body packers and highlight pearls and pitfalls with diagnosis and treatment.

Citing Articles

Cocaine Body Packing: A New Record.

Tanna R, Bostina R, Lloyd G, Patel N, Bastianpillai J Cureus. 2020; 12(11):e11728.

PMID: 33269176 PMC: 7704267. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.11728.

Cannabis body packing: a case report.

Ngatchou W, Lemogoum D, Essola B, Ramadan A, Ngassa M, Guimfacq V Pan Afr Med J. 2017; 24:327.

PMID: 28154682 PMC: 5267818. DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2016.24.327.9450.

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