Archives: Condition

PAE stands for prostate artery embolisation. This is an innovative procedure used to treat benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) – a condition resulting in the enlargement of a prostate, a common cause for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). It is considered to be a safe and effective method of symptom reduction and has been shown to yield great results: over 70% of men gain symptomatic improvement (decreases in prostate volume and increases in urinary flow rates) following the procedure, and undergoing PAE doesn’t prevent you from undergoing other prostate reduction procedures later on.

This is a complex procedure which can only be performed by a specialist interventional radiologist with expertise in the area.

A varicocele is a collection of swollen veins in the scrotum. It is a common condition, occurring in about 25% of young men, and usually causes only minor symptoms. In some men, however, a varicocele is associated with more severe pain which can be troublesome and interfere with normal activities. Varicoceles can also be associated with reduced fertility and are therefore commoner in those men suffering from fertility problems. Varicoceles occur because of a problem with the valves in the veins which carry blood from the scrotum and testicles. The condition, therefore, shares some similarities with varicose veins in the legs, and pelvic congestion syndrome in females.

Uterine fibroids are a common, benign growth in the uterus. They occur in about 25% of women and can be asymptomatic. Whilst they generally aren’t dangerous, they can cause significant discomfort and serious symptoms for some.
Fibroids can distort the lining of the uterus, leading to heavy or abnormal bleeding, pelvic pain, and iron deficiency anaemia. Very large fibroids can also put pressure on the surrounding organs, causing pain and bloating as well as bladder problems.

Adenomyosis is a condition where the lining of the womb extends abnormally deep into the uterus. This is more common than previously thought (affecting up to 70% of women).
Symptoms are similar to those from uterine fibroids including:
Heavy periods and prolonged bleeding
Severe period pain
Adenomyosis causes heavy and prolonged bleeding. The heavy bleeding caused by fibroids can lead to tiredness, fatigue and low energy due to iron deficiency anaemia. Severe pain from adenomyosis also can severely affect quality of life and sexual function.

As above the leaky incompetent vein valves result in increased pressure in the pelvic veins. The condition is uncommon in younger women or those who have not had children.

Tumour ablation is the process of using heat energy, delivered by a special needle directly into the tumour, to destroy the tumour. It is a safe and effective method of treating certain tumours with minimal side effects. It allows treatment of tumour in patients who might not be fit for a major operation. The technique allows preservation of the normal healthy tissue near the tumour meaning it can be used in patients who cannot undergo surgery because of previous surgeries or treatments.