SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Early-Onset Emphysema in the E-Cigarette Era: A Call to Action for Youth Tobacco Prevention

Pdf Summary

A 24-year-old man with a history of seizure disorder and frequent vaping and marijuana use presented with retrosternal chest pain that worsened with inspiration and began while smoking an electronic cigarette. Initial chest X-ray showed no pneumothorax, though the supine positioning reduced sensitivity. CT angiography of the chest later revealed a small-to-moderate left pneumothorax along with paraseptal and centrilobular emphysematous changes in both lungs.<br /><br />He was treated with left chest tube placement, which remained in place for one day. Follow-up imaging showed resolution of the pneumothorax, and the chest tube was removed without complication. The patient remained stable and was discharged.<br /><br />He received strong counseling to stop using electronic cigarettes, tobacco products, and marijuana. The case is notable because the patient had no known prior lung disease, yet imaging showed spontaneous pneumothorax and early emphysematous changes, which are unusual findings in someone this young. The report highlights concern for vaping-related lung injury and suggests that combined vaping and marijuana use may increase the risk of structural lung damage.<br /><br />The discussion emphasizes that early emphysema in young adults may lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, recurrent pneumothoraces, and long-term pulmonary morbidity.

Asset Subtitle

Cassidy Colwell

Meta Tag

Author List Cassidy Colwell, Karan Ravi, Vivian Loveday-Laghi

Category Clinical Vignettes

Concept Pneumothorax

Concept E-Cigarette Use

Concept Marijuana Use

Concept Emphysema

Concept Chest Tube Placement

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Lakeland Regional Health

Presenting Author Cassidy Colwell

Track Adult

Keywords

spontaneous pneumothorax

vaping

electronic cigarette

marijuana use

young adult

emphysematous changes

chest pain

chest tube

vaping-related lung injury

COPD risk

Pneumothorax

E-Cigarette Use

Marijuana Use

Emphysema

Chest Tube Placement