• Ferhat Cengel, Mesut Bulakci, Tuba Selcuk, Yildiray Savas, Muhammet Ceyhan, Ayhan Kocak, and Cigdem Ozkara Bilgili.
• Department of Radiology, Haseki Training and Research Hospital, Millet Caddesi, Aksaray, 34096, Istanbul, Turkey. doc_20_1@hotmail.com.
• Abdom Imaging. 2015 Oct 1; 40 (7): 2143-51.

PurposeThis study investigated the sonographic properties of drug packets containing narcotic drugs and the diagnostic role of ultrasonography in detecting body packing in comparison with CT.MethodsForty-five suspects admitted to our hospital for diagnosis and management were routinely evaluated by non-contrast CT for the presence of drug packets. A single radiologist blind to CT data independently performed the abdominal ultrasonographic scans.ResultsThirty-five of 45 suspects were carrying packets. In positive cases, two types of packets with different properties were noted. Twenty-eight cases had type 1 packets (solid form drug) and 7 had type 2 packets (liquid form cocaine). The sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values of ultrasonography for detecting drug packets were 91%, 70%, 91%, and 70%, respectively. Ultrasonography accurately determined the presence or absence of packs in 39 of 45 suspects.ConclusionUltrasonography was found to have a high sensitivity but a low specificity in suspected cases. A negative ultrasonography cannot rule out the diagnosis of body packing. However, it may be preferred as the initial imaging method or for follow-up of suspected cases as a radiation-free, easy-to-use, and inexpensive technique.

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