Prostate Artery Embolization: Indication, Technique and Clinical Results

Abstract

Background Prostate artery embolization (PAE) is a new embolization therapy to treat benign prostate syndrome (BPS).

Materials and Methods This review article presents the rationale and impact mechanism of PAE, criteria for patient selection, and discusses the anatomy of prostate arteries. The study results are seen in the context of complications and clinical partners.

Results Important preconditions for successful prostate artery embolization are a strict indication, precise knowledge of the anatomy of the pelvic arteries and advanced interventional-radiological skills. Several studies showed that urological parameters after prostate artery embolization improve at a similar level as for established post-surgical treatments. At the same time, it could be proven that prostate artery embolization has no impact on erectile function and is associated with a relatively low complication rate.

Conclusion PAE is increasingly developing to an alternative for the established surgical treatments in BPS patients.

Key Points 

• PAE is a new embolization method for treating BPS and represents an alternative to classic urological surgical procedure such as TURP.

• Due to the low caliber of the prostate artery (0.5 – 2 mm), the presence of anatomical variations, and the arteriosclerosis seen in most older men, PAE is a technically challenging embolization method.

• In patients with a high postoperative bleeding risk in classic urological surgical treatment concepts, PAE is a very gentle alternative method.

Citation Format

• Teichgräber U, Aschenbach R, Diamantis I et al. Prostate Artery Embolization: Indication, Technique and Clinical Results. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2018; 190: 847 – 855

Key words

prostate artery embolization - benign prostate syndrome - lower urinary tract symptoms

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