This retrospective study evaluates the efficacy and safety of Prostatic Artery Embolization (PAE) for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) over five years at a single center, conducted by an experienced interventional radiologist.
We analyzed 551 PAE interventions from January 2019 to July 2023. Key metrics included patient demographics, procedural details (radiation exposure, particle size), complication rates, pre- and post-interventional prostatic volume (PV), Prostate-specific Antigen (PSA) levels, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Quality of Life (QoL) scores and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scores. We assessed data normality, performed group and paired sample comparisons, and evaluated correlations.
For 551 men, the average patient age was 68.81 ± 8.61 years undergoing bilateral embolization. The particle size predominantly used was 100-300 µm (n = 441). PAE lead to significant (p < .001) reduction of both PV (-9.67 ± 14.52 mL) and PSA level (-2,65 ± 1.56 ng/mL) between pre- and three months after PAE. Substantial improvement were observed for IPSS (-9 points) and QoL scores (-2 points), with stable IIEF scores. Only minor complications (n = 16) were reported, and no major complications were observed. Between the first PAE in 2019 and the routinely performed PAE in 2023 significant (p < .0001) reductions in fluoroscopy (-25.2%), and procedural times (-26.1%) were observed.
In conclusion, PAE is a safe and effective treatment for BPH, offering significant improvements in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and QoL while maintaining sexual function.
Academic radiology. 2024 Jun 10 [Epub ahead of print]
Leona S Alizadeh, David Radek, Christian Booz, Niklas Verloh, Ibrahim Yel, Vitali Koch, Simon Martin, Leon D Gruenewald, Mirela Dimitrova, Thomas J Vogl
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Germany; Division of Experimental Imaging, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Germany. Electronic address: ., Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Germany., Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Germany; Division of Experimental Imaging, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Germany., Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Freiburg, Germany.