Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a benign enlargement of the prostate gland which is a very common condition in men, especially after 70 years of age. As the gland enlarges it compresses the urethra and may result in symptoms such as weak urine flow and difficult urination.
In many men an enlarged prostate does not cause any problems. If symptoms do occur they may include:
Prostatic artery embolization is a non-surgical method for the treatment of certain cases of BPH. It is performed by an interventional radiologist under local anesthesia. The small arteries supplying the prostate gland are blocked by injection of small particles through a small tube called a catheter.
Prostatic artery embolization is a relatively new procedure. The majority of patients who have had the procedure showed good results with reduction in size of their prostate gland and improvement of their urinary symptoms. It is considered a safe procedure.
Prostate artery embolization is a fairly safe procedure, but as with any medical procedure there are some risks and complications that can arise. There may occasionally be a small bruise, called a haematoma, at the site of the needle puncture into the artery and this is quite normal. Most patients feel some pain afterwards; This is usually mild and controllable by painkillers. Non-targetedembolization with partial damage to the bladder and rectum has been seen very rarely. All mentioned risks will be discussed at the time of your consent for treatment.
Improvement in symptoms after PAE is seen in 70% with a decrease in the prostate volume and increase in the flow of urine. In 10% of technical cases, there is difficulty in finding the small or tortuous prostatic arteries which may lead to failure. In these cases, Traditional TURP surgery may be offered.
