Type:
Educational Exhibit
Keywords:
Emergency, Conventional radiography, CT, MR, Education, Drugs / Reactions, Toxicity
Authors:
S. Constantine, J. Buckley
DOI:
10.26044/ranzcr2022/R-0012
Background
Almost half of all Australians over the age of 14 report using illicit drugs at some point in their lives.1 The most commonly used substances include cannabis, cocaine, heroin, ecstasy and inhalants. Around 2 000 Australians die each year from drug-taking, and the biggest increase in illicit drug use is in people in their 40s.2 Presentation to hospital with complications from illicit drug use is common, but abnormalities on imaging are far less common, but are important to recognise, especially as a history of illicit drug use is not always available. This presentation shows the spectrum of radiological signs associated with the use of illicit drugs, including complications of ingestion and illegal internal transportation.