Type:
Educational Exhibit
Keywords:
Education, Ultrasound, Digital radiography, CT, Thorax, Respiratory system, Lung, Drugs / Reactions
Authors:
S. Prasher1, D. Penha2, E. Pinto1, D. Wat1, S. Pilsworth 1, M. Ledson1, B. Hochhegger3, E. Marchiori4, K. L. Irion5; 1Liverpool/UK, 2Lisbon/PT, 3Porto Alegre/BR, 4Rio de Janeiro/BR, 5Manchester/UK
DOI:
10.26044/ecr2019/C-2656
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 (between 15-24-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 or chronic complication of drug use.
The radiologist may be the first health professional to suggest a diagnosis related to illicit drug use.
Therefore,
it is crucial for radiologists to recognized and understand the radiological findings and complications of illicit drug use.