Constrictive bronchiolitis — A possible adverse effect of vaping
Lung biopsies showed this pathology in four e-cigarette users. Electronic cigarette or vaping–associated lung injury (EVALI) is a well-described acute condition, but we know little about its long-term repercussions.
In this paper, researchers describe four patients (aged 25–65) with 3- to 8-year e-cigarette histories who presented with lung symptoms consistent with gradually progressive pulmonary disease (e.g., dyspnoea, cough, pleuritic chest pain). At presentation, all patients were former smokers who vaped daily. On high-resolution computed tomography, all patients revealed modest bronchial wall thickening and other nonspecific abnormalities.
The lung biopsy results were interesting and crucial. Patients developed constrictive bronchiolitis with subepithelial fibrosis. No patient had a history of other inhalation exposures or conditions known to produce this pathology; constrictive bronchiolitis is not caused by cigarette smoking. Three patients who stopped vaping experienced improvement over several years.
These data represent long-term e-cigarette use. Chronic consequences will become obvious in the coming years.
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