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Ultrasonography was found to have a high sensitivity but a low specificity in suspected cases. A negative ultrasonography cannot rule out the diagnosis of body packing. However, it may be preferred as the initial imaging method or for follow-up of suspected cases as a radiation-free, easy-to-use, and inexpensive technique.

Emergency physicians and radiologists have been increasingly encountering internal concealment of illegal drugs. The packages commonly contain powdered solid drugs such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and hashish, but they may also contain cocaine in the liquid form. The second type of package has recently been more commonly encountered, and poses a greater diagnostic challenge. As clinical evaluation and laboratory tests frequently fail to make the correct diagnosis, imaging examination is typically required. Imaging methods assume a vital role in the diagnosis, follow-up and management. Abdominal X-ray, ultrasonography, CT and MRI are used for the imaging purposes. Among the aforementioned methods, low-dose CT is state-of-the-art in these cases. It is of paramount importance that radiologists have a full knowledge of the imaging characteristics of these packages and accurately guide physicians and security officials.

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Abdominopelvic MRI is a reliable and valuable method of diagnosing body packing.

The aim of the study is to report a case of a rare congenital anomaly of the venous system and to emphasize its clinical importance. We describe a case of aplasia of the right common and external iliac veins in a healthy seven-year-old boy who was referred for Doppler ultrasound examination for further evaluation of an abnormal varicosity in the suprapubic region. Colour Doppler ultrasound revealed a dilated, arch-shaped vein. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography showed the absence of the right common iliac vein and external iliac vein. It also clearly demonstrated the aberrant venous structure, originating from the right common femoral vein and draining to the left common femoral vein. In conclusion, in our case, the patient’s life was threatened because the aberrant venous connection crossing within subcutaneous fatty tissue was not protected from external trauma and possible abdominal surgical interventions. Additional attention should be given to avoid such injuries, which can cause significant haemorrhage.

Alveolar hydatid disease or alveolar echinococcosis is a disease of the parasite Echinococcus multilocularis that is potentially fatal if left untreated. It primarily involves the liver but can be disseminated to other organs like the lungs and the brain by hematogenous route. Multiorgan involvement and the aggressive appearance of lesions make alveolar hydatid disease easy to confuse with a metastatic malignancy. For this reason, histopathological confirmation is essential for definite diagnosis. We present the imaging features of this disease in two patients in order to emphasize that these lesions can be easily misdiagnosed as malignancies.