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
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 is considerable overlap in the findings related to the three drugs described above.
The radiological findings should be complemented by a thorough clinical history including an extensive review of illicit drug use.
This pictorial atlas will allow radiologists to more accurately diagnose complications from drug use and better inform our clinical colleagues.