Prostatic artery embolization for giant prostatic hyperplasia: a single-center experience

OBJECTIVE: To describe the safety and efficacy of prostatic artery embolization (PAE) in patients with a markedly enlarged prostate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study including 18 consecutive patients (mean age, 74 years) with benign prostatic hyperplasia, all with a prostate volume ≥ 200 cm(3), who were enrolled to receive PAE for the treatment of moderate-to-severe lower urinary tract symptoms. RESULTS: The PAE procedure was technically successful in 17 patients (94.4%). During follow-up, clinical failure (defined as an International Prostate Symptom Score [IPSS] ≥ 8) was observed in two (11.1%) of those 18 patients. At 3 months of follow-up, there was significant improvement over baseline in all relevant outcome measures: total IPSS (from 15.7 to 2.9); IPSS quality of life score (from 5.2 to 1.0); prostate specific antigen (from 11.4 to 1.82 ng/mL); peak urinary flow rate (from 7.45 to 18.6 mL/s); prostate volume (from 252.4 to 151.6 cm(3)); and post-void residual volume (from 143.7 to 28.3 mL)-p < 0.05 for all. Of the 18 patients, one (5.6%) presented detachment of prostate tissue and self-limited hematuria, which did not require specific treatment. CONCLUSION: In patients with a markedly enlarged prostate, PAE proved to be safe and effective, resulting in significant improvements in clinical, imaging, and urodynamic parameters.