Organizing pneumonia related to electronic cigarette use: A case report and review of literature

Introduction:
This text is a case report of a patient with significant pulmonary toxicity caused by electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use, specifically organizing pneumonia. The text also includes a review of relevant literature regarding adverse effects of e-cigarettes on pulmonary system.

Key Points:

* The patient is a 40-year-old female who presented with worsening dyspnea and intermittent chest pain for one month after switching to e-cigarettes to help her quit smoking.
* She developed acute hypoxemic respiratory failure requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation.
* Diagnosis of organizing pneumonia was made based on open lung biopsy.
* The patient was successfully treated with steroids along with abstinence from e-cigarette use.
* The text also includes a review of 9 case reports of adverse effects of e-cigarettes on pulmonary system.
* These adverse effects include lipoid pneumonia, bronchiolitis, acute eosinophilic pneumonia, pneumonia with bilateral pleural effusion, suspected acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis, respiratory bronchiolitis interstitial lung disease, bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia, and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage.
* The onset of symptoms in these cases varied from 3 days to 7 months after starting e-cigarette use.

Main Message:
The use of e-cigarettes has risen dramatically in recent years, especially among adolescents and young adults. While some studies suggest that e-cigarettes may be less harmful than traditional cigarettes, there is growing evidence of pulmonary toxicity associated with their use. This case report and review of literature emphasize the importance of being aware of potential adverse effects of e-cigarettes and the need for further research on their safety profile. Healthcare providers should inquire about e-cigarette use and educate patients about potential risks.

Khan, Mohammad Saud, Faisal Khateeb, Jamal Akhtar, Zubair Khan, Amos Lal, Veronika Kholodovych, and Jeffrey Hammersley. “Organizing Pneumonia Related to Electronic Cigarette Use: A Case Report and Review of Literature.” The Clinical Respiratory Journal 12, no. 3 (March 2018): 1295–99. https://doi.org/10.1111/crj.12775.