Learning objectives
The learning objectives of this Educational exhibit are:
1.
Review the most common pulmonary manifestations of illicit drug use according to the general features found in each drug
2.
Illustrate some of the most common pulmonary CT findings in patients with history of current or previous illicit drug use
Background
Humans have used recreational drugs since the beginning of civilization.
However,
in the last century,
the use of illicit drugs has significantly increased with nearly half of all teenagers and young adults (between15-24-year-olds) in the UK admitting to using illicit drugs (1).
The most common recreational drugs are cannabinoids,
opioids,
and cocaine.
Pulmonary complications can involve lung parenchyma,
pulmonary vasculature,pleural layers and pleural space.
Due to social and legal reasons,
patients may not provide information on illicit drug use,
even when presenting with an acute...
Findings and procedure details
The authors reviewed the data obtained from the drug and alcohol service at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital in the Northwest of England between January and May 2018.
The database included 116 consecutive patients.
Of these,
a full drug history was available for 54 patients and these included for descriptive statistical analysis.
The authors found that 22 patients (40%) used multiple drugs.
The most common combination was Heroin and Crack Cocaine- 26% of all patients.
This was followed by Heroin and Cannabis- 9% of all...
Conclusion
Liberalization of drug use laws especially with cannabis is expected to lead to increased drug use.
Thus,
it is essential for radiologists to be aware of the wide spectrum of pleural and pulmonary complications of illicit recreational drug use.
The present pictorial atlas demonstrates the various intrathoracic changes caused by illicit drug use which includes changes not only in the lung parenchyma but also in the tracheobronchial tree,
pleura,
and vessels.
Overall the changes demonstrated on imaging are non-specific to the drug type and there...
References
1.
Casale J,
Klein R.
Illicit production of cocaine.
Forensic Science Review 1993; 5:95–107.
2.
Haim DY,
Lippmann ML,
Goldberg SK,
Walkenstein MD.
The pulmonary consequences of crack cocaine.Chest.1995;107: 233–40.
3.
Restrepo CS,
Carrillo JA,
Martı´nez S,
Ojeda P,
Rivera AL,
Hatta A.
Pulmonary complications from Cocaine and Cocaine-based Substances: Imaging Manifestations RadioGraphics 2007; 27: 941–956 .
4.
Duenas C,
Torres CA.
Toxicidad pulmonar inducida por cocaı´na.
Revista Colombiana de Neumologia,
1999;11: 45–57.
5.
Taylor RF,
Bernard GR.
Airway complications from free-basing cocaine.
Chest 1989;...