Subject(s)
Coleoptera , Dermatitis/parasitology , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Animals , Female , France , Humans , Middle AgedABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Body packing is a well-known means of narcotic carriage across international borders. The most common drugs carried are cocaine and heroin. CASE DESCRIPTIONS: We describe 2 cases of cannabis body packing which occurred the same year in the South of France, one with complications: a 45-year-old male went to emergency for abdominal pain. A plain abdominal x-ray revealed multiple foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract. It was confirmed by abdominal CT. The laparatomy confirmed peritonitis secondary to colonic perforation, and 34 filled condoms packages were extracted. After calling poison centre, toxicological analysis was performed on one package. The resin wrapped in cellophane contained 15% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The patient was discharged on day 12. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Cannabis body packing is rarely reported, and the only known complications have a mechanic etiology. Plain abdominal x-ray is the best method for detection and it can be confirmed by abdominal CT and toxicological analysis. Cannabis is the most important illicit drug used in the word. Also cannabis body packing is probably underestimated. Health care practitioners should be aware of the possibility of body packing when someone coming back from abroad complains of abdominal pain.
Subject(s)
Cannabis , Crime , Foreign Bodies/diagnostic imaging , Abdominal Pain/diagnostic imaging , Adult , Condoms , Drug Packaging , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , RadiographySubject(s)
Foodborne Diseases/etiology , Hypervitaminosis A/chemically induced , Liver , Perciformes , Retinoids/poisoning , Adult , Animals , Female , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency and severity of accidental cannabis poisoning in children. METHODS: A retrospective study of cases of accidental cannabis poisoning in people aged under 18 years old, reported to the Marseille poison center from 1993 through 2007. We excluded cases where cannabis was definitively ruled out, and neonatal withdrawal syndromes in newborns from cannabis users. RESULTS: We collected 93 cases, including 56 boys and 37 girls, 86% of whom were younger than 3 years. The principal form was cannabis resin (hashish), reported in 80% of the cases and belonging to one of the parents or a household member. In almost all cases, the poisoning took place at the child's home. The frequency has risen in recent years, with 2/3 of the cases occurred in the second half of the study period. Five serious cases were reported, two with convulsions. CONCLUSION: Considering the observed increase in cases each year, mostly benign but potentially serious, prevention and information efforts have to be improved for drug users with young children and for healthcare professionals led to manage this kind of accident.
