EVALI - E-Cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Toxicology
• Public Health

Background:

• The prevalence of electronic cigarette use has surged among young adults and adolescents.
• E-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) is a critical public health concern, prompting CDC advisories.
• EVALI is a diagnosis of exclusion, lacking a specific diagnostic marker.

Observation:

• A case study details a 23-year-old male student with a history of vaping who presented with EVALI symptoms before the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Symptoms included fever, shortness of breath, tachypnea, nausea, and diarrhea, leading to initial diagnoses of sepsis and pneumonia.
• Diagnostic workup ruled out common infectious causes and identified cannabinoid use via urine drug screening.

Findings:

• Chest CT revealed bilateral infiltrates, consistent with EVALI.
• The patient received intensive treatment including high-dose steroids, antibiotics, and oxygen support in the ICU.
• Recovery was achieved with steroid tapering and cessation of vaping.

Implications:

• The EVALI outbreak is strongly associated with vitamin E acetate found in vaping products.
• Prompt diagnosis and treatment with steroids are effective for EVALI management.
• Public health messaging emphasizing the risks of vaping and potential EVALI development is essential.