The impact of prostate artery embolization (PAE) on the the physical history and pathophysiology of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

Abstract

Aim: Prostate artery embolization (PAE) is a non invasive modality for the treatment of benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH) related lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). As a relatively new procedure, data determining the clinical success is somehow scarce. In the present article we examine the current clinical outcome measures in order to identify the most accurate. Results: Current imaging outcome measures are consistent with clinical ones only in the group of patients with adenomatous- dominant BPH while are inconsistent in patients with small sized adenomas. Conclusions: Additional studies and/or evaluation tools are needed in order to provide accurate evaluation of clinical success in the subgroup of patients with non- adenomatous-dominant BPH while they may inspire new options and novel techniques for both BPH treatment and treatment-follow up.