[Interventional treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia : Embolization of the testicular vein]

CLINICAL/METHODICAL ISSUE

Embolization of the testicular veins (Gat-Goren technique) is an interventional procedure for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

STANDARD RADIOLOGICAL METHODS

In addition to standard urological procedures, such as transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P), arterial embolization of the prostate is considered as the interventional radiological method of choice.

METHODICAL INNOVATIONS

Embolization of the testicular veins is technically identical to the embolization of varicoceles in infertile men and represents a less invasive treatment.

PERFORMANCE

Embolization of the testicular veins can be performed as a low-risk intervention with low side effects. Variants of the venous anatomy can make the procedure more difficult. In current studies a good reduction of symptoms could be achieved in intermediate-term follow-up.

ACHIEVEMENTS

The medium-term results are promising but data on long-term results and comparisons with alternative treatments are missing.

PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS

Embolization of the testicular veins is a minimally invasive method for the treatment of BPH. The procedure can be performed in an outpatient setting. In the intermediate course up to 6 months after treatment, promising results were demonstrated in recent studies. Randomized studies, data on long-term results and comparisons to alternative methods (e. g. arterial prostatic embolization and surgical procedures) are missing.