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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · The Arab Journal of Interventional Radiology 2021; 05(02): 060-067
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1739302
Review Article

Prostatic Artery Embolization for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia—A Primer for Interventional Radiologists

Tiago Bilhim 
1   Angiography Unit, NOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Saint Louis Hospital, Portugal and Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central (CHULC), Lisbon, Portugal
,
Nuno V. Costa 
1   Angiography Unit, NOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Saint Louis Hospital, Portugal and Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central (CHULC), Lisbon, Portugal
,
Daniel Torres 
1   Angiography Unit, NOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Saint Louis Hospital, Portugal and Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central (CHULC), Lisbon, Portugal
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Abstract

Male patients over 50 years with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are potential candidates for prostatic artery embolization (PAE). PAE is not a perfect fit for all BPH patients. Careful pre- and postpostprocedural evaluation/consultation with correct selection of patients should be tailored on an individual basis. Evaluated parameters include the following: LUTS severity quantification with validated questionnaires as the international prostate symptom score (IPSS) and quality of life (QoL), erectile and ejaculatory evaluation with validated questionnaires, blood tests including full blood count, coagulation profile, renal function and total/free prostate-specific antigen (PSA), prostate volume measured by multiparametric magnetic resonance (mpMR) of the prostate and/or transrectal ultrasound, uroflowmetry measuring the peak urinary flowrate (Qmax), and postvoid residual urine (PVR). Correct arterial anatomy identification with either computed tomography (CT) angiography, MR angiography, or intraprocedural cone-beam CT (CBCT) are suggested for a confident procedure and avoiding potential complications. The minimally invasive nature of PAE with a faster recovery, preserving the sexual function, and comparable results to standard prostatic surgery make the procedure an attractive choice for many male patients suffering with this condition. Patients should be informed about the potential for higher retreatment rates and shorter duration of treatment effect when compared with standard prostatic surgery. In this comprehensive review, we provide an updated toolbox for all interventional radiologists interested in the PAE practice for patients with BPH. We explain how to evaluate patients during consultation before and after PAE, describe the preprocedural imaging required, explain the technique, and narrate how to optimize outcomes. Finally, we review the level of evidence of PAE for BPH.

Keywords

prostatic artery embolization - prostate embolization - benign prostatic hyperplasia - lower urinary tract symptoms


Publication History

Article published online:
07 February 2022

© 2022. The Pan Arab Interventional Radiology Society. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

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