Radiofrequency ablation in the lung complicated by positive airway pressure ventilation.

A patient receiving bilevel positive airway pressure therapy underwent radiofrequency ablation of a pulmonary metastasis from a primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the scapula. The patient's postablation course was complicated by a bronchopleural fistula, which was exacerbated by the detrimental effects of positive airway pressure on necrotic lung tissue after the ablation. The use of positive airway pressure devices, including bilevel positive airway pressure and continuous positive airway pressure, in patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation of the lung should be considered as an added risk for developing bronchopleural fistula.