Prostatic artery embolization

[4] Prostatic artery embolization is an emerging treatment alternative which avoids the risks of systemic medication and surgery.

In the longer term (13–24 months), this review is very uncertain about the positive and negative effects of PAE in comparison with transurethral resection surgery.

The majority of adverse events during PAE are likely due to non-target embolization and are generally self-limited in nature.

The Cochrane review from 2020 assessed the current evidence and found that there are great uncertainties about whether PAE differs in terms of serious side effects or problems with erections compared with transurethral resection of the prostate.

Serious complications are rare (0.3%[10]), and include arterial dissection, bladder wall ischemia, and persistent urinary tract infection.

Post-embolization syndrome, consisting of pain, mild fever, malaise, nausea, vomiting, and night sweats, is sometimes observed after the procedure and is treated with NSAIDs and other forms of analgesia.