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Published on: April 26, 2024
Genicular Artery Embolization for Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis: A Comprehensive Review of Techniques and Clinical
Osman Ahmed1, Abin Sajan2, Venkatesh Krishnasamy3
1Department of Radiology, The University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
Purpose:
Symptomatic knee osteoarthritis is the most common joint disorder worldwide. Genicular artery embolization (GAE) is a minimally invasive therapy targeting abnormal knee neovascularity and inflammation, with potential to alter management paradigms. This review summarizes key evidence on its rationale, techniques, outcomes, and the need for standardization.
Materials And Methods:
Peer-reviewed studies on GAE for knee osteoarthritis were assessed for patient selection, procedural technique, embolic agents, and reported outcomes.
Results:
GAE consistently achieved high technical success and short- to mid-term pain reduction, with improved VAS, WOMAC, and KOOS scores. Temporary and permanent embolic agents provide comparable results. Variability in vessel targets, embolic size, and periprocedural protocols limits direct comparisons and pooled analysis. Reported adverse events are uncommon, generally mild, and self-limited.
Conclusions:
GAE offers a promising, image-guided option for symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. Standardized procedural methods, uniform outcome reporting, and robust multicenter trials are needed to confirm long-term safety and efficacy, optimize patient selection, and define GAE's role in osteoarthritis management.
