Citation

Morse J, Tittman S, Gelbard A. Laryngoscope 2019; 129(1): 45-48.

Affiliation

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1002/lary.27275

PMID

30194845

Abstract

Lithium-ion batteries have been used for more than 20 years, most recently to power handheld devices including cellphones and electronic nicotine-delivery systems. They have garnered significant media attention due to thermal-related injuries occurring after spontaneous combustion. Spontaneous combustion of a lithium-ion battery occurs due to a process that is referred to as the thermal runaway effect. Here, we review the case of a 25-year-old female with severe oropharyngeal and upper aerodigestive thermal injuries after spontaneous combustion of a lithium-ion battery in a flashlight. We discuss the associated management and provide a review of the literature detailing similar injuries. Laryngoscope, 2018.

© 2018 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.

Language: en

Keywords

Lithium-ion battery; oropharyngeal burn; spontaneous combustion; superior laryngeal nerve block