Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the enlargement of the prostate in men, typically over the age of 50. This occurrence can cause a variety of uncomfortable and inconvenient symptoms. Interventional Radiologists can use a minimally invasive procedure known as Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) to relieve symptoms for suffering patients.
Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE)
Symptoms
- Frequent urination
- Pain when urinating
- Urgency to urinate
- Going to urinate at night often (nocturia)
- Poor urine stream
- Incomplete emptying of the bladder
- Blood in urine
- Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)
Treatment
Options/Benefits
Fortunately, treatments for PAE have progressed and now provide a quick recovery from a minimally invasive procedure.
Treatment Options
- PAE is a minimally invasive, image guided procedure for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The procedure involves placing a small catheter inside the arteries supplying the prostate gland and injecting tiny microscopic beads to cut off its blood supply. Over time the prostate gland shrinks and allows for easier passage of urine from the bladder out the urethra.
Benefits of treatment
- Least invasive procedure option
- Outpatient procedure
- Very low risk
- Shorter recovery time
- Little to no pain during recovery
Expected Outcomes
- This is the least invasive outpatient procedure currently available for the treatment on BPH. All other surgical treatments require advancing an instrument through the urethra which comes with risk. Since it takes time for the prostate to shrink, the majority of PAE patients will see improvement from the procedure at earliest around 3-4 weeks after the procedure, with maximum improvement 3-6 months post procedure. Current medical data notes show very good and durable results at least 5 years out from the procedure.
