Prostate Artery Embolization for Benign Prostate Hyperplasia Review: Patient Selection, Outcomes, and Technique

Prostate artery embolization (PAE) is a minimally invasive technique in managing men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH is one of the commonest causes of LUTS in men, associated with high morbidity and economic burden. Patients suffering from LUTS secondary to BPH, severe enough to warrant intervention traditionally underwent transurethral resection of the prostate or open prostatectomy. PAE is an emerging alterative technique with promising data. In this paper we review important elements to running a safe PAE practice including careful patient selection, exclusion criteria, complications, and efficacy of PAE compared to other techniques. This paper also reviews the basic anatomy and techniques relevant to PAE, including common anatomical variants.