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Vaping-induced acute epiglottitis: a case report
Amir Khorrami1, Mohammad Ali Khorrami2, Heitham Gheriani3
1Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. amirkho@student.ubc.ca.
International Journal of Emergency Medicine
|September 5, 2023
Summary
Vaping may cause acute epiglottitis in adults, even without infection. Physicians should consider e-cigarette use in diagnosing epiglottitis, as this case shows a young adult recovering after treatment.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pulmonology
- Toxicology
Background:
- E-cigarette use (vaping) is rising among young adults.
- Adverse effects of vaping on the upper airway are under-researched.
- Acute epiglottitis is a severe condition that can cause airway obstruction, typically due to bacterial infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of acute epiglottitis in a young adult linked to vaping.
- To highlight the potential for non-infectious causes of epiglottitis.
- To suggest vaping as a differential diagnosis for epiglottitis.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a previously healthy 29-year-old male with daily e-cigarette use.
- Presentation with severe sore throat, dysphagia, hoarseness, and shortness of breath.
- Diagnostic workup included lateral neck radiograph, direct laryngoscopy, and infectious swabs (negative for Streptococcus and COVID-19).
Main Results:
- Radiograph showed a thickened epiglottis with a "thumb sign."
- Laryngoscopy revealed a swollen epiglottis causing partial airway obstruction.
- Patient improved with intravenous Dexamethasone and antibiotics, with complete symptom resolution.
Conclusions:
- This is the second reported case of epiglottitis associated with vaping, with no infectious cause found.
- Vaping should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute and subacute epiglottitis.
- Further research is needed on antibiotic efficacy for vaping-induced epiglottitis.
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