Transarterial prostatic embolization: initial experience in a canine model.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate pathologic responses to transarterial prostatic embolization and its technical safety in a canine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ten adult male beagle dogs were surgically castrated and given hormonal therapy for 4 months to induce prostatic hyperplasia. After three months of hormonal therapy, the dogs were randomly assigned to a transarterial prostatic embolization group (n = 7) or a control group (n = 3). Dogs in the transarterial prostatic embolization group were subjected to embolization with microspheres 300-500 μm in diameter. Four months after the study was begun, all dogs were sacrificed for pathologic study. Transrectal ultrasound and MRI were performed to evaluate pathologic responses. The data on prostate size acquired with transrectal ultrasound were processed for statistical analysis by paired Student t test. RESULTS The canine prostatic hyperplasia model was successfully established in 10 dogs. The increase in mean prostate size being as great as 572% after 3 months of hormonal therapy. An intraprostatic cavity was detected 1 month after transarterial prostatic embolization in all seven dogs. Four dogs had significant shrinkage of the prostate, and the other three had an increase in prostate size. Imaging examinations and necropsy revealed a huge cavity occupying almost the entire prostate in the three dogs with increased prostate size. No complications associated with transarterial prostatic embolization were encountered. CONCLUSION Transarterial prostatic embolization is a safe procedure that can induce prostatic infarction and ablate the prostate. The findings suggest the procedure has potential clinical applications in the care of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.