Prostate Enlargement
What is Prostate Enlargement?
Prostate enlargement also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a very common, non-cancerous condition in which prostate compresses the urethra and bladder as it enlarges, causing problems with urination. More than 80% of men will develop BPH and 50% of men develop BPH by the age of 50.
Prostate enlargement can have unwanted side effects such as incontinence and sexual dysfunction which can be largely avoided through Interventional Radiology techniques to shrink the prostate.
Symptoms
In men with prostate enlargement, symptoms may include:
- Frequent urination
- Straining
- Hesitancy
- Weak stream
- Urgency
- Inability to completely empty your bladder
- Getting up several times a night to urinate
Treatment
Traditional treatments for prostate enlargement can have unwanted side effects, such as sexual dysfunction.
Prostate Artery Embolization
Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) is similar in technique to UFE a small arterial puncture is made in the artery in the wrist or leg, and live x-ray is used to guide the wire and catheter into the small arteries that supply blood to the prostate. Using advanced imaging techniques to create a 3D map of the vessels, the catheter is advanced into these small vessels on each side of the prostate.
A special 3D spin is performed with contrast being injected directly into the prostate artery to ensure that no contrast is seen in any surrounding organ that could be damaged when the prostate arteries are treated. Next, tiny particles are injected through the catheter and into the prostate artery to cut off the blood supply to the prostate.
This results in shrinkage of the prostate gland over weeks to months, resulting in significant improvement in lower urinary tract symptoms.
Prostate Artery Embolization is an outpatient procedure, patients can go home the same day. Following treatment, patients spend 2-4 hours recovering in the post procedure area and are then released home with over-the-counter pain medications and a short course of antibiotics. Patients can return to work and normal activities after a few days' rest.
This results in shrinkage of the prostate gland over weeks to months, resulting in significant improvement in lower urinary tract symptoms. The procedure is performed in the outpatient setting and patients go home the same day.
The most common side effect is mild burning and increased urinary frequency for about 3-5 days after the procedure.
