Detection of intestinal drug containers by ultrasound scanning: an airport screening tool?

Abstract

Our objective was to investigate the value of abdominal ultrasound for the detection of intestinal drug containers in air travelers suspected of intestinal drug trafficking. The study population consisted of 50 suspects charged with intestinal drug smuggling. All suspects, 7 women and 43 men, underwent an abdominal ultrasound scan immediately after detention in the prison hospital. A simple portable ultrasound unit (SonoSite 180) was used with a 2- to 4-MHz curved-array transducer. The images were digitally stored or recorded onto videotape. All suspects remained at the prison hospital to have their stool monitored for drug containers. The Customs officers who determined the presence or absence of containers in the stools were unaware of the ultrasound examination results. Of the suspects, 42 (84%) proved to have multiple intestinal drug containers as assessed by stool examination during detention. In 40 of 42 suspects abdominal ultrasound correctly identified the presence of containers. In 7 of 8 suspects ultrasound correctly identified the absence of containers. The positive predictive value of an ultrasound examination was 97.6%. In this group of suspects an abdominal ultrasound provided accurate information about the presence or absence of intestinal drug containers in 47 of 50 cases (94%).