Potential first case of vaping-related ‘popcorn lung’ identified

In what may be the first vaping-related lung illness of its kind, researchers are reporting a case where a 17-year-old male in Canada was diagnosed with bronchiolitis, or “popcorn lung.” The lung injuries identified so far have resembled respiratory infections, or even chemical burns, although experts have been concerned about popcorn lung because a chemical that causes the condition is also used to make vape juice. The teen said he had vaped THC and flavors such as cotton candy for the previous five months. After initially being diagnosed with pneumonia, he was admitted to hospital after continued trouble breathing. CT scans showed bud-like formations in his lungs, indicative of bronchiolitis, while other tests ruled out infections. The patient was discharged after nearly two months, but continues to have trouble with physical activity.