E‐Cigarette and palatal ulcer: a possible relationship?

Abstract

Tobacco smoking is a major public health issue with far‐reaching implications on the global economy. Electronic cigarettes are advertised as a new promising cessation treatment that can gratify the behavioural aspects of smoking. However, there are still many unanswered questions regarding e‐cigarette’s safety and effects on general and oral health. We report a case of a 68‐year‐old Caucasian male patient with a large ulcerative lesion on the hard palate that was possibly associated with the use of an electronic cigarette.

Impact of Electronic Cigarettes on the Upper Aerodigestive Tract: A Comprehensive Review for Otolaryngology Providers

“… 225 , 226 , 227 Two case studies have linked necrotic palatal ulcers with e‐cig use. 228 , 229 Importantly, multiple cases of oral carcinoma in the setting of prolonged e‐cig use in the absence of other risk factors have been reported. 230 , 231 Aside from effects of the toxic and carcinogenic contents of aerosolized e‐juice on the upper aerodigestive tract, e‐cig devices have also been implicated in multiple reports of burns and trauma of the upper aerodigestive tract and maxillofacial structures 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 , 232 , 233 and toxic ingestion.…”

“…A few studies have demonstrated an increase in mucosal lesions in e‐cig users as compared to controls and former smokers 225‐227 . Two case studies have linked necrotic palatal ulcers with e‐cig use 228,229 . Importantly, multiple cases of oral carcinoma in the setting of prolonged e‐cig use in the absence of other risk factors have been reported 230,231 .…”

“…Therefore, it is critical for every otolaryngology provider to stay abreast regarding Li et al 213 Cross-sectional 641 Adult e-cig users have increased wheezing and related respiratory symptoms compared to nonusers but less than current smokers Luo et al 214 Observational NA (7927 posts) Wide range of self-reported symptoms from e-cig users, most commonly respiratory and throat symptoms Miler et al 221 Case report 1 Resolution of chronic tonsillitis in a never-smoker after vaping Mokeem et al 218 Cross-sectional 30 Oral Candida albicans burden in e-cig users is significantly higher than never-smokers and similar to cigarette and waterpipe smokers Moore et al 93 Case report 1 E-cig explosion resulting in intraoral injuries Morse et al 84 Case report 1 E-cig explosion result in extensive oropharyngeal and palatal burns and associated right ear pain requiring intubation, Dobhoff tube, right SLN blocks, and extensive swallow and speech therapy Nguyen et al 230 Case series 2 Oral basaloid SCC in two patients with no other risk factors Norii et al 94 Case report 1 E-cig explosion resulting in pharyngeal injury and C1 and C2 fracture Reuther et al 104 Quasi-experimental 10 5 minutes of vaping in prior nonusers resulted in temporary increase in capillary perfusion of buccal mucosa Richmond et al 237 Observational 220 Of 220 cases of e-cig inhalation and ingestion in children presenting to pediatricians, majority of inhalation in male adolescents while majority of ingestion was in male children. Both inhalation and ingestion most commonly resulted in nausea/vomiting, cough, throat irritation, or acute toxicity Rogér et al 89 Case report 1 E-cig explosion resulting in extensive intraoral injuries and burns Sample 239 Cross-sectional 7 E-cig users had raised vocal shimmer compared to nonusers and use was associated with abnormal mucosal wave, free edge, phase closure, vocal fold varices, and vocal fold edema Seo et al 234 Case report 1 Death of a 15-month-old child from accidental ingestion of e-liquid Soule et al 212 Observational 49 Wide range of self-reported symptoms from e-cig users, most commonly dry throat/mouth Tsiouma et al 228 Case report 1 Palatal ulceration in e-cig user which resolved with treatment after switching to conventional cigarettes Tuhanioğlu et al 238 Cross-sectional 21 No significant difference in VHI-10 values or vocal quality between e-cig users and nonusers Vaught et al 86 Case report 1 E-cig explosion resulting in significant facial trauma Walele et al 217 Clinical trial 102 Prior smokers who switched from conventional cigarettes to e-cig noted headache, nasopharyngitis, sore throat as the most common adverse events, most of which were transient the potential health consequences of e-cigs, particularly w...…”