SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-A Lungful of Risk-Vaping Associated Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax

Pdf Summary

This case describes a 22-year-old man with a long history of heavy vaping who presented with sudden right-sided chest pain and shortness of breath. He was tachycardic and hypertensive, with decreased breath sounds on the right. Chest X-ray showed a large right pneumothorax, and he required emergent chest tube placement.<br /><br />Because of concern for an underlying ruptured bulla and to reduce recurrence risk, he later underwent right video-assisted thoracoscopy with bullectomy plus chemical and mechanical pleurodesis. He recovered well, was weaned off oxygen and chest tube by day 3, and was discharged on room air. At 4-month follow-up, he had returned to normal.<br /><br />The report emphasizes that vaping, though often marketed as a safer alternative to smoking, can cause significant lung injury, including spontaneous pneumothorax. Proposed mechanisms include airway and alveolar damage from heated chemical aerosols, impaired epithelial and ciliary function, inflammation, and thinning of alveolar walls that can lead to subpleural bleb formation and rupture. Deep inhalation and forceful exhalation during vaping may further increase pressure changes that predispose to pneumothorax.<br /><br />The authors note that vaping-associated spontaneous pneumothorax is rare but increasingly reported. Based on limited literature, management may include chest tube drainage for acute treatment and bullectomy with pleurodesis to prevent recurrence in selected patients. Clinicians should recognize vaping as a potential cause of spontaneous pneumothorax and counsel patients on vaping cessation.

Asset Subtitle

Risheng Xu

Meta Tag

Author List Joslyn Fisher, Mohsin Bajwa, Risheng Xu, Vivekkumar Patel, Ya Li

Category Clinical Vignettes

Concept E-Cigarette Use

Concept Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax

Concept Pneumothorax

Concept Respiratory Complication

Concept Plain Radiograph

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Baylor College of Medicine

Presenting Author Risheng Xu

Track Adult

Keywords

vaping

spontaneous pneumothorax

right pneumothorax

chest tube

video-assisted thoracoscopy

bullectomy

pleurodesis

subpleural bleb

lung injury

vaping cessation

E-Cigarette Use

Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax

Pneumothorax

Respiratory Complication

Plain Radiograph