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Updated: Apr 23, 2026
A Cognitive Fusion-guided Prostate Biopsy Using Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Transrectal Ultrasound
Published on: March 21, 2025
MRI findings after prostatic artery embolization for treatment of benign hyperplasia
Nathan E Frenk1, Ronaldo H Baroni, Francisco C Carnevale
11 Instituto de Radiologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Av Dr. Enéas Carvalho de Aguiar, s/n Rua 1, Cerqueira Césa, São Paulo, SP 05403-900, Brazil.
Objective:
The purpose of this article is to assess and describe the MRI findings after prostatic artery embolization for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Materials And Methods:
We retrospectively evaluated 17 patients who underwent prostatic artery embolization as part of different prospective studies to evaluate this alternative treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Clinical results were evaluated by assessment of urinary catheterization and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). Serial MRI examinations were performed, and the prostatic central gland and peripheral zone were evaluated for signal intensity changes and the presence and characteristics of infarcted areas. Statistical analysis was performed with ANOVA for repeated measures and Student t test.
Results:
All patients had clinical success, as defined by the removal of indwelling urinary catheter or decreased IPSS after embolization. Infarcts were seen in 70.6% of the subjects, exclusively in the central gland, were almost always characterized by hyperintensity on T1-weighted images and predominant hypointensity on T2-weighted images, and became smaller (mean reduction, p < 0.001) and isointense to the remaining of the central gland over time. Volume reduction of the prostate after embolization was significant (averaging 32.0% after 12-18 months; p < 0.001) only in patients with infarcts. No statistically significant association was seen between the development of infarcts and IPSS.
Conclusion:
MRI can be used for assessing the development of infarcts and volume reduction in the prostate after embolization. Further studies are needed to correlate these findings to clinical outcome.
