Prostate embolization: patient selection, clinical management and results

BACKGROUND: Prostate artery embolization is an emerging technique, that with the continued publication of promising data, is slowly moving from the research to the everyday clinical setting. MAIN BODY: This paper reviews the patient selection, clinical management and expected results of prostate artery embolization. Patient selection is paramount in delivering the desired results for any procedure. Likewise, the ability to clinically manage patients in the pre-operative and post-operative setting is an important skill to acquire when implementing new techniques. This paper introduces important urologic measurements/tests, patient selection paradigms, and clinical management concepts for interventional radiologists. It also reviews the outcomes patients can expect following prostate artery embolization as well as the complication profile. CONCLUSION: Prostate artery embolization is a promising technique for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia induced lower urinary tract symptoms.