Acute eosinophilic pneumonia following electronic cigarette use

Abstract

Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use, or vaping, is gaining widespread popularity among adults aged 18-35. Vaping is commercially promoted as a safer alternative to traditional cigarette smoking. Previous studies have reported a close relationship between conventional cigarette smoking and acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP), but only one case report to date associates vaping with AEP in a male patient. We present the first case of AEP involving a young female after use of e-cigarettes. Clinicians should consider AEP when evaluating young patients with hypoxic respiratory failure and a recent history of e-cigarette use. This case highlights the need for more research into the relationship between e-cigarettes and AEP.

Keywords: Acute eosinophilic pneumonia; Electronic cigarette use; Vaping.

Fig. 1

Computed tomography pulmonary angiogram showing diffuse ground-glass patchy airspace disease.

Fig. 2

Chest radiography before and after steroids treatment. Top left and right: Chest PA and lateral upright series before treatment. Note made of bibasilar airspace opacities. Bottom left and right: Chest PA and lateral upright series after treatment. Significant interval decreased patchy airspace disease within the bilateral lungs.