Vaping‐induced acute epiglottitis: a case report
Dublin Core
Title
Vaping‐induced acute epiglottitis: a case report
Subject
Epiglottitis, Electronic cigarettes, Vaping, Inflammatory epiglottitis, Infectious epiglottitis, Thumb sign
Description
Background E-cigarette use, or vaping, is an alternative nicotine delivery system that is becoming increasingly
prevalent in adolescents and young adults. There is currently a lack of comprehensive research on the adverse effects
of vaping on the upper airway.
Acute epiglottitis is a potentially life-threatening condition that can lead to airway obstruction. It is commonly
caused by bacterial infections such as streptococci, staphylococcus, and Moraxella. Adult patients with acute epiglot-
titis mainly present with odynophagia, dysphagia, and respiratory difficulties. The diagnosis of epiglottitis is made
by direct laryngoscopy, and the mainstay of treatment is antibiotics.
Bozella et al. (2020) reported a case of subacute non-infectious epiglottitis associated with e-cigarette use in a pediat-
ric patient (Pediatrics 145(3), 2020). Here we present a case of acute epiglottitis in a healthy young adult after vaping,
with a negative infectious workup. To our knowledge, there has been no such reported case of epiglottitis associated
with e-cigarette use in an adult patient.
Case description A previously healthy 29-year-old male with daily e-cigarette use presented to the emergency
department with a severe sore throat, dysphagia, mild hoarseness, and shortness of breath, especially when lying
supine. A lateral neck soft tissue radiograph revealed a thickened epiglottis with a thumb sign. Direct bedside
laryngoscopy showed a swollen epiglottis, partially obstructing the supraglottic region confirming the diagnosis
of acute epiglottitis. Throat and nasal swabs were negative for streptococcus and COVID-19 infection, respectively.
The patient’s condition improved significantly after receiving intravenous Dexamethasone and antibiotics for 2 days.
Repeat laryngoscopy showed the resolution of epiglottis swelling, and subjective symptoms had resolved entirely 2
weeks following the start of the treatment.
Conclusions Although bacterial infections usually cause acute epiglottitis, this case presents the second report
of this condition associated with vaping with negative microbiological investigations. Therefore, we recommend
that physicians consider non-infectious causes such as vaping in their differential diagnosis for patients with acute
and subacute epiglottitis. More research is warranted on the utility of antibiotics in treating vaping-induced
epiglottitis.
prevalent in adolescents and young adults. There is currently a lack of comprehensive research on the adverse effects
of vaping on the upper airway.
Acute epiglottitis is a potentially life-threatening condition that can lead to airway obstruction. It is commonly
caused by bacterial infections such as streptococci, staphylococcus, and Moraxella. Adult patients with acute epiglot-
titis mainly present with odynophagia, dysphagia, and respiratory difficulties. The diagnosis of epiglottitis is made
by direct laryngoscopy, and the mainstay of treatment is antibiotics.
Bozella et al. (2020) reported a case of subacute non-infectious epiglottitis associated with e-cigarette use in a pediat-
ric patient (Pediatrics 145(3), 2020). Here we present a case of acute epiglottitis in a healthy young adult after vaping,
with a negative infectious workup. To our knowledge, there has been no such reported case of epiglottitis associated
with e-cigarette use in an adult patient.
Case description A previously healthy 29-year-old male with daily e-cigarette use presented to the emergency
department with a severe sore throat, dysphagia, mild hoarseness, and shortness of breath, especially when lying
supine. A lateral neck soft tissue radiograph revealed a thickened epiglottis with a thumb sign. Direct bedside
laryngoscopy showed a swollen epiglottis, partially obstructing the supraglottic region confirming the diagnosis
of acute epiglottitis. Throat and nasal swabs were negative for streptococcus and COVID-19 infection, respectively.
The patient’s condition improved significantly after receiving intravenous Dexamethasone and antibiotics for 2 days.
Repeat laryngoscopy showed the resolution of epiglottis swelling, and subjective symptoms had resolved entirely 2
weeks following the start of the treatment.
Conclusions Although bacterial infections usually cause acute epiglottitis, this case presents the second report
of this condition associated with vaping with negative microbiological investigations. Therefore, we recommend
that physicians consider non-infectious causes such as vaping in their differential diagnosis for patients with acute
and subacute epiglottitis. More research is warranted on the utility of antibiotics in treating vaping-induced
epiglottitis.
Creator
Amir Khorrami1*, Mohammad Ali Khorrami1 and Heitham Gheriani2
Source
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-023-00532-x
Date
2023
Contributor
Peri Irawan
Format
pdf
Language
english
Type
text
Files
Collection
Citation
Amir Khorrami1*, Mohammad Ali Khorrami1 and Heitham Gheriani2, “Vaping‐induced acute epiglottitis: a case report,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 11, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/12190.