Diagnosis: Staining from Vaping.

Honestly I was very sure that it was not Pulmonary Oedema, but same time I had no clue what it was? One of our Anaesthetic consultant colleague had a look and found out it was abnormal staining and appearance of the respiratory secretions were due to vaping.

Vaping, or the use of e-cigarettes, is becoming increasingly common, particularly among adolescents. In many cases, traditional smoking is being replaced by vaping. E-cigarettes contain various chemicals that are heated and then inhaled. These substances can deposit in the airways and lungs, leading to abnormal respiratory secretions and other pulmonary effects.

Health Risks Associated with Vaping

E-cigarettes and vaping are relatively new, which means we are still learning about their full health implications. However, growing evidence suggests that vaping can cause significant harm, including:

• Worsening of asthma

• Damage to the airways and lung alveoli

• Potential effects on the heart, blood pressure, and brain

We are already well aware of the risks of nicotine addiction, which is a major concern in children and adolescents. Additionally, there have been reported incidents of battery explosions associated with e-cigarette devices, adding another layer of risk.

Points against Pulmonary Oedema -

This case also serves as an important learning opportunity. Features that were against the diagnosis of pulmonary oedema included:

• A normal clinical examination.

• A normal chest X-ray.

• Pink frothy sputum is the classical sign of Acute Pulmonary Oedema.

• The absence of supporting clinical or radiological signs.