BY MAYFAIR DIAGNOSTICS

Men's Health

PROSTATE ARTERY EMBOLIZATION

The prostate gland sits underneath the bladder and surrounds part of the urethra, the tube that carries urine and semen out of your penis. Normally, it’s the size and shape of a walnut, but as men age it can sometimes get too big and start to squeeze the urethra. This is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). 

  • OVERVIEW

The prostate gland sits underneath the bladder and surrounds part of the urethra, the tube that carries urine and semen out of your penis. Normally, it’s the size and shape of a walnut, but as men age it can sometimes get too big and start to squeeze the urethra. This is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Over 30 percent of men aged 50 and over require treatment for an enlarged prostate and for some of them that means surgery. It can disturb sleep with frequent urination overnight, or cause a hard time urinating or a weak stream when you do start.

BPH is a common condition with several treatment options, ranging from lifestyle changes to medication to surgery. Your health care practitioner can help you determine the best option for you based on your age, health, and current symptoms.

 In cases of surgery, the most performed procedure is a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Very large prostates are not effectively treated with TURP, so an open surgery is usually performed to completely or partially remove the enlarged prostate. These are not the only options, however. Mayfair Interventional Radiologists have been successfully performing prostate artery embolization (PAE) procedures as an alternative to surgery in Calgary hospitals since 2015.

  • WHAT IS PAE?

First performed in 2009 by Professor Pisco in Portugal, this new procedure shrinks an enlarged prostate blocking the arteries that feed the gland using microscopic beads. An interventional radiologist, rather than a surgeon, performs the procedure through a small incision in the groin or wrist.

The interventional radiologist will use X-ray guidance to move a small plastic tube into the small arteries which are feeding the prostate. X-ray dye is injected down the catheter to identify the prostate blood supply. Then microscopic gelatin beads are injected into these small arteries to block them and starve the prostate of its blood supply.

PAE is done using a local anesthetic in the groin and intravenous painkillers and/or sedatives, if needed. A catheter is inserted into the bladder for a few hours during the procedure and removed before you go home.

  • BENEFITS
  • Minimally invasive care – no large incisions or scars
  • Fast recovery – most patients may go home the same day
  • Does not require general anesthesia – PAE is a good option for patients who have complex medical needs
  • Improves urinary tract symptoms – majority of patients experience urinary symptom improvement comparable to TURP
  • Very effective for patients with chronic indwelling catheters or prostate related bleeding
  • Lower chance of sexual side effects when compared to traditional surgery
  • RISKS
  • Temporary side-effects – pelvic discomfort, burning with urination, urinary urgency and urinary discoloration.
  • Bleeding at the arterial access site – risks are small and complications are often treatable without major surgery
  • Urinary retention – post-procedure swelling can be severe in a minority of patients requiring a temporary catheter
  • Non-target embolization – uncommonly beads may migrate in artery side-branches which can result in development of temporary ulcers in the bladder, rectum or skin of the groin or penis. These typically take about 1-2 weeks to heal.
  • Full treatment effects and symptom improvement of PAE may take up to 6 months

Book or inquire about this procedure

Mayfair’s interventional radiologists perform general IR procedures at Rockyview General Hospital and interventional vascular procedures at the Peter Lougheed Centre in Calgary.

Book a Producedure