JNMA; journal of the Nepal Medical Association
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JNMA J Nepal Med Assoc · Jul 2021
Case ReportsSuspicious Case of a Body packer "Mule" in a Low Resource Country: A Case Report.
Body packing is the process of smuggling illicit drugs in the form of packages concealed within the gastrointestinal tract via ingestion or inserting into body orifices. These individuals are described as "body packers", "stuffers", "mules" or "swallowers" and resort to carrying drugs like heroin, cocaine and cannabis. ⋯ This case illustrates a suspected case detained from the airport who was found to be carrying 93 pellets of an illicit drug, heroin, weighing 900 grams, one of the highest quantity carried by any body packer in the country till date. This case further sheds light on the fact that a meticulous history, detailed clinical examination and radiographic investigations like abdominal radiograph and imaging are the keys to diagnose body packers in a resource limited setting.
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Cystic Echinococcosis or Hydatid disease is caused by the infection with the larval stage of long tapeworm, Echinococcus granulosus. This condition often remains asymptomatic for years before the cyst grows large enough to cause symptoms in affected organs. The most common organs involved are liver and lungs although the heart, brain, bone, central nervous system, and kidney may also be involved. ⋯ The cyst was approximately 7.8×6.6×8cm with internal multiple septations at the lower pole cortex of the left kidney. Laparoscopic pericystectomy was performed and with no postoperative complications, she was discharged on albendazole and other supportive medication. With timely management using combination therapy, this condition is curable and the patient can live a healthy life with normal kidney function.
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Myiasis is a skin infection caused by developing larvae (maggots) of various Diptera fly species. The two most frequent flies that cause human infestations around the world are Dermatobia hominis (human botfly) and Cordylobia anthropophaga (tumbu fly). Maggots have been found to infest the nose, ear, orbit, tracheostomy wound, face, gums, and serous cavities, among other places. ⋯ We came across a rather rare finding in a patient with advanced inoperable rectum cancer who initially complained of persistent nonspecific pain, discomfort, and foul-smelling discharge from the colostomy site. The issue at hand was identified to be maggots, and their removal alleviated the patient's symptoms. We underline the importance of regularly monitoring stoma sites to avoid maggot infestation, especially in tropical regions.