Background: With the increase in lithium-ion battery-powered technology, clinicians have observed an increase in burn injuries. Typically, these injuries come from malfunctions in e-cigarettes, e-scooters and bikes, and even mobile phones. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of a patient burned by the lithium-ion battery pack on an electric sock, which is commonly worn by skiers, snowboarders, and winter hikers.
Case report: The patient presented shortly after the initial injury with a full-thickness burn with eschar and surrounding cellulitis. He was treated with oral antibiotics, surgical excision in clinic, and local wound care. The patient was offered surgical wound closure but opted to continue local wound care. Although slow, the patient saw complete wound closure in approximately 3 months with minimal scarring and no further complications.
Conclusion: With lithium-ion technology on the rise, it is important to understand the risks and care necessary to keep these devices safe for everyday use.