Radiologic patterns in vaping-associated lung disease: what could we find?

Abstract

Multiple substances and agents found in the environment are known for their relationship with the development of acute or subacute lung disease and recently electronic cigarettes have been shown to cause lung disease known as vaping product use–associated lung injury (EVALI). The symptomatology is variable, so imaging, specially multidetector computed tomography, plays a role in the diagnostic approach. So far, four possible radiological patterns associated with EVALI have been found: 1. diffuse alveolar damage, 2. organizational pneumonia, 3. acute eosinophilic pneumonia and 4. alveolar hemorrhage. Other patterns have been referred in the literature, however, their relationship with the EVALI has not been fully established.