Interventional Radiology for Men
Men have unique health concerns that only affect them, too. For example, over 50% of men in their sixties experience uncomfortable symptoms of enlarged prostate (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or BPH) that can cause problems with urination and greatly reduce their quality of life. Traditional treatment of BPH involves invasive surgery, which requires general anesthesia and can occasionally cause complications such as impotence and sexual dysfunction.
One of MTV IR’s specialty IR procedures called Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) provides a gentler, minimally-invasive treatment solution for BPH. PAE can be performed using only light anesthesia, and is so gentle that most patients have few symptoms after the procedure and get lasting relief.
Be Back at Work the Next Day
Another common health concern unique to men is the development of a type of varicose veins called varicoceles in the testicles or scrotal areas. These swollen veins can cause pain, but they may also affect male fertility by causing a reduced sperm count, and if untreated can result in atrophy (shrinking) of the testicles.
The traditional treatment for testicular varicoceles is invasive surgery, with all of its attendant risks. But again, a visualization-guided, minimally-invasive IR procedure we specialize in called Varicocele Embolization offers men a treatment option that is less risky, and that involves less pain and discomfort. And again, the procedure can be completed in less than an hour and patients go home the same day. Recovery time is so minimal that most patients return to work the next day.
