E-pipe use leading to lipoid pneumonia in Europe

A 53-year-old, so far healthy woman was admitted to the emergency department due to increasing cough and dyspnoea. Four days before presentation, the general practitioner initiated an outpatient treatment with amoxicilin/clavulanic acid due to the clinical and radiological suspicion of a bilateral, community-acquired pneumonia. Apart from escitalopram and oestrogen containing hormone replacement therapy, she did not use any medication. She had no pets or humidifier and worked as a saleswoman in a gift shop. Three weeks before admission, she switched from conventional cigarettes to commercial available electronic pipe (nicotine content 4 mg/mL, taste of pipe tobacco and refillable tank). She performed inhalations approximately 4–5 times per day. She denied using cannabinoid-containing liquids and was no dual user. Ten days after starting consuming the electronic pipe, the patient suffered from dry cough and dyspnoea when hurrying upstairs. On admission, the …