To determine the effects of prostatic artery embolization (PAE) on prostatic elasticity as assessed by Ultrasound Elastography (US-E), as well as to describe the feasibility and role of US-E as a novel tool in both pre- and post-PAE evaluation.
This is a prospective, single-center investigation that included eight patients undergoing PAE for treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) attributed to benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). Baseline and 3-month follow-up evaluations were performed and included prostate-specific antigen (PSA), uroflowmetry, pelvic magnetic resonance imaging and clinical assessment using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire and the IPSS-Quality of life (QoL) item. US-E with measurement of the prostatic Elastic Modulus (EM) was performed before PAE and at 1-month follow-up.
After PAE, US-E showed a significant reduction of prostatic EM as assessed in kPa (33.14 vs. 47.24, - 29.8%, p = 0.002) and in m/s (3.75 vs. 4.63, - 19.0%, p < 0.001). Also, the transitional/peripheral zone ratio was significantly reduced by 45.36% (0.53 vs. 0.97, p < 0.05). All eight patients presented with significant LUTS improvement after PAE (p < 0.05 for IPSS, QoL, prostate volume, peak urinary flow rate and PSA).
Findings described in this study suggest that PAE significantly reduces prostatic EM, leading to a positive effect on BPH dynamic component related to prostatic elasticity. Also, it features US-E as an additional tool for pre- and post-PAE evaluation, describing a novel indication for this technology.
Cardiovascular and interventional radiology. 2019 Apr 16 [Epub ahead of print]
André Moreira de Assis, Airton Mota Moreira, Francisco Cesar Carnevale, Antonio Sergio Zafred Marcelino, Luciana Mendes de Oliveira Cerri, Alberto Azoubel Antunes, Miguel Srougi, Giovanni Guido Cerri
Interventional Radiology Department, Radiology Institute, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar Avenue, 255, Cerqueira César, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil. ., Interventional Radiology Department, Radiology Institute, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar Avenue, 255, Cerqueira César, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil., Radiology Department, Sírio-Libanês Hospital, Adma Jafet Street, 115, Bela Vista, São Paulo, SP, 01308-050, Brazil., Urology Department, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar Avenue, 255, Cerqueira César, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil.