THE VAPE GRENADE: A CASE OF MAXILLOFACIAL INJURIES WITH C1-C ardenlabroasuncion@gmail.com

 

THE VAPE GRENADE: A CASE OF MAXILLOFACIAL INJURIES WITH C1-C

4

Philippines

Poster Exhibition only

A case study details a 24-year-old male from the Philippines admitted to the emergency room after an electronic cigarette exploded during use, causing him to fall and briefly lose consciousness. He sustained multiple oropharyngeal injuries, neck pain, and transient bilateral upper extremity weakness. Physical examination revealed lacerations on the lips, tongue, and uvula, along with multiple dental fractures. A cervical collar was applied to immobilize the neck.

A CT scan of the neck revealed a comminuted fracture of the anterior arch of the C1 vertebra and a non-displaced fracture of the odontoid process of the C2 vertebra. A piece of shrapnel was located anteriorly to the vertebral fractures. Nasopharyngolaryngoscopy revealed significant swelling of the airway, but there was no complete obstruction. There were avulsion injuries to the tongue and uvula.

The patient was admitted to the surgical ICU for observation and given steroids for airway edema. Neurosurgery recommended surgical fixation but opted for a cervical collar due to a lack of titanium odontoid screws, with limited movement for 12 weeks. Plastic surgery managed the lip avulsion, while conservative treatment was chosen for the tongue injury. At a three-month follow-up, the patient had returned to full mobility and work with a stable vertebral fracture.

This case highlights the potential severity of electronic cigarette-related injuries, underscoring the need for awareness, research, and stricter regulation of these devices to prevent future incidents.