Thermal injury patterns associated with electronic cigarettes.

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Thermal injury patterns associated with electronic cigarettes.

Int J Burns Trauma. 2017;7(1):1-5

Authors: Jiwani AZ, Williams JF, Rizzo JA, Chung KK, King BT, Cancio LC

Abstract
E-cigarettes are typically lithium-ion battery-operated devices that simulate smoking by heating a nicotine-solution into a vapor that the user inhales. E-cigarette use is becoming rapidly popular as an alternative to traditional cigarette smoking. This report describes an emerging problem associated with e-cigarettes, consisting of 10 thermally injured patients seen at a single burn center over a 2-year period from 2014 to 2016. Our cohort was comprised mainly of young adults who sustained mixed partial and full thickness burns as a result of e-cigarette-related explosions. In many documented scenarios, a malfunctioning or over-heated battery is the cause. Our data support the need for increased awareness among healthcare providers and the general public of the potential harms of e-cigarette use, modification, storage, and charging.

PMID: 28123861 [PubMed - in process]

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