Vascular and Interventional Radiology Treatments for Men’s Health

The prostate gland is located just under the bladder. The urethra is a thin tubular structure allowing urine to exit the bladder through the penis. The urethra runs through the prostate gland. Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) occurs when prostate cells grow excessively, causing the prostate to enlarge, affecting the normal urine flow.

BPH may cause symptoms such as incontinence (urinary leakage), recurrent urinary tract infections (bladder infections) and urinary frequency.

Prostate artery embolization is an image-guided endovascular procedure where our specialists access an artery at the wrist or groin. Then, they guide wires and catheters (thin tubes) to locate the prostate arteries. Here, they inject embolization (blocking) materials to decrease blood flow. With reduced blood flow, the prostate gland shrinks, and symptoms decrease without the use of additional medications or surgery.

Varicoceles are abnormally enlarged veins that drain the testicles. They are similar to the varicose veins you may see on your legs. Symptoms of varicocele can include pain in your scrotum and infertility.

Varicoceles may be caused by incompetent veins or from compression of the vein. Interventional radiologists diagnose and treat varicoceles with endovascular techniques. Using wires, catheters (thin tubes) and image-guidance, they access a vein in the neck or groin and locate the varicocele. If it is caused by an incompetent vein, they use embolization (blocking) materials to close the vein. If the varicocele is due to compression, they may use a stent (tube) to hold the vein open.