Percutaneous Ethanol Injection of the Prostate as Minimally Invasive Treatment for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Preliminary Report

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of a minimally invasive treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) consisting of percutaneous ethanol injection inside the prostate under ultrasound surveillance. Material and Methods: Transperineal ethanol injection into the prostate was performed in 8 patients who were affected by obstructive BPH according to AUA symptom score, impaired urinary flow, and volume of postvoiding residual urine. Injections were performed under transrectal ultrasound surveillance at four sites of the prostate for an overall amount of 6 ml of ethanol per patient. The procedure was performed under local anesthesia. Results: The patients’ median age was 69.7 years (range 57–83). No major intraoperative or postoperative complications were encountered. The median symptom score decreased from 21±5.2 (range 14–28) to 10±4.4 (range 1–14) at 3 months postoperatively (p