title: Cellular phone collateral damage: A review of burns associated with lithium battery powered mobile devices.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The spontaneous destruction of lithium battery powered cellphones has raised concern about the safety of these devices. We present a case report and review of the literature of burn injuries sustained in association with cellular phone usage.
  
  
  METHODS
  A Medline search was performed to identify articles describing cellular phone associated thermal injuries using key search words including "burn," "burn injury," "cellular phone," "cellphone," "thermal injury," and "telephone." Articles were reviewed for etiology, location, severity and treatment. We also present a case of a burn to the upper thigh resulting from cellular phone battery malfunction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six case reports were identified detailing burn injuries obtained from cellphone use. Half of these cases occurred from battery malfunction with second degree being the most common severity. All cases were managed conservatively except one case, which required excision and primary closure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lithium powered cellular phones are susceptible to overheating and destruction from inadequate heat dissipation during thermal runaway. This process can be initiated by local short-circuiting from direct contact with a low resistance conductor such as keys or coins. We reinforce the importance of safe cell phone battery practices including avoiding overcharging and direct skin exposure to minimize thermal injury risk.
authors: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Montreal Children's Hospital, Affliated hospital of McGill University, 1001 Boulevard Décarie, Montreal, Quebec H4A 3J1, Canada. Electronic address: peter.mankowski@mail.mcgill.ca.
authors: Peter J
authors: PJ
authors: Mankowski
authors: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Montreal Children's Hospital, Affliated hospital of McGill University, 1001 Boulevard Décarie, Montreal, Quebec H4A 3J1, Canada.
authors: Jonathan
authors: J
authors: Kanevsky
authors: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Montreal Children's Hospital, Affliated hospital of McGill University, 1001 Boulevard Décarie, Montreal, Quebec H4A 3J1, Canada.
authors: Parseh
authors: P
authors: Bakirtzian
authors: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Montreal Children's Hospital, Affliated hospital of McGill University, 1001 Boulevard Décarie, Montreal, Quebec H4A 3J1, Canada.
authors: Sabrina
authors: S
authors: Cugno
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000209:etiology*; D002058:Burns, Electric / Q000209:etiology*; D040421:Cell Phone; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D006801:Humans; D018020:Lithium Compounds; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D018020:Lithium Compounds
keywords: Cellphone; Cellular phone; Lithium battery; Partial thickness burn; Thermal runaway