This information is for patients considering Prostate Artery Embolisation (PAE) for the treatment of their lower urinary tract symptoms.
The prostate gland is located under the urinary bladder and wraps around the water pipe (urethra). Enlargement of the prostate gland can lead to a blockage of the flow of urine. This can lead to various symptoms, including reduced urine stream and frequent need to urinate during the night.
Prostate artery embolisation is a minimally invasive, non-surgical new treatment option for prostate enlargement. PAE blocks off the blood flow to the small arteries supplying the prostate gland making the gland shrink and allowing a better flow of urine.
This is achieved with an injection of small particles into these arteries. PAE can also be used for controlling bleeding from the prostate gland.
The decision was made by your urologist and an interventional radiologist who is going to perform the procedure.
Interventional radiologists are doctors specially trained to perform minimally invasive treatments of various diseases with guidance of an x-ray machine, avoiding the need for open surgery. This includes inserting and navigating special catheters inside blood vessels.
In addition to the standard tests for prostate enlargement, you will need to have a special CT scan (CT angiogram) to help us visualise the arteries in your pelvis. This will help the radiologist to decide if the anatomy of your arteries is suitable for the treatment. If tests have shown that you are suffering from an enlarged prostate gland you probably have already been told about the more traditional treatment options, including a
TURP (trans urethral resection of prostate) operation and medication by your urologist or GP.
In your case, a decision was made that you are likely to benefit from an alternative non-surgical treatment option: prostate artery embolisation.
Prostate artery embolisation is a relatively new procedure for treatment of prostate enlargement. The current evidence from research data has been reviewed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and clearly shows that the procedure is safe and an effective treatment option.
However, as with any other medical procedures complications may arise:
Please contact us on the phone number on your appointment letter if you experience:
To contact us, please call the interventional radiology secretaries between:
Monday-Friday 9am-5pm on 0117 414 9110.
Out of hours please contact the on call urology specialty registrar via North Bristol NHS Trust switchboard on 0117 950 5050.
© North Bristol NHS Trust. This edition published January 2024. Review due January 2027. NBT003172.