Prostate Artery Embolization for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Prostate arterial embolization (PAE) has been investigated as a minimally invasive alternative to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), considered the traditional standard treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). PAE differs from other minimally invasive surgical therapies in treatment approach (endovascular vs transurethral) and mechanism (embolic), and thus requires different considerations. An interventional radiologist injects microspheres through a catheter to the blood vessels around the prostate, reducing the blood supply to multiple different areas. No surgical intervention is required for this procedure and recovery times are often less than that of TURP.