Pneumomediastinum in Vaping-Associated Acute Lung Injury: An Unusual Presentation

The use of vaping products among adolescents continues to be on the rise despite known health risks. As a result, there are increasing cases of E-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) across the United States especially among male Caucasian users of vaping products. The clinical presentation of EVALI follows the classic pattern of acute lung injury; however, there are peculiar cases with unusual symptomatology and radiographic findings. In this report, we present a case of a 25-year-old male with hemoptysis, subcutaneous emphysema, and pneumomediastinum in the setting of EVALI. He was treated with nebulized tranexamic acid and methylprednisolone with the resolution of symptoms. The diagnostic workup and management of suspected EVALI are discussed in detail. This case highlights how EVALI can present in an atypical manner and why clinicians must be cognizant of the variations in manifestations in order to facilitate early management. Overall, this case further highlights the need for clinicians to continuously push against the use of vaping products in the adolescent group, given that the occurrence of acute lung injury at a younger age predisposes to early-onset chronic lung disease.