Selective embolisation for intractable bladder haemorrhages: A systematic review of the literature

Prostate artery embolization as an effective treatment for clinically significant prostate cancer‑related hemorrhage: A case report

A 79-year old Caucasian male with metastatic hormone refractory prostate cancer and bilateral nephrostomy was admitted to the emergency department due to 4-day bloody urethral discharge, weakness and dizziness. The patient was treated with the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone-antagonist and abiraterone acetate plus prednisone, dabigatran 150 mg bid (for atrial fibrillation and coronary heart disease) and 5-aminosalicylic acid for the management of mild ulcerative colitis. Imaging revealed bladder overdistention and blood analysis low levels of hematocrit (HCT) and hemoglobin (HGB) (HCT, 22%; HGB, 7.1 gr/dl). A 22F, 3-way urethral catheter was placed, and blood clots were removed with a syringe. Continuous normal saline irrigation was initiated, and the dabigatran was withdrawn; however, no evidence of control of blood loss was shown. Computed tomography and urography revealed a large prostate lesion invading the bladder neck, a pelvic lymph-node block and lack of blood extravasation. Diagnostic urethrocystoscopy revealed diffuse hematuria from the prostate lesion and bladder neck. Bipolar coagulation was performed in the absence of any significant improvement. Upon withdrawal of intravesical irrigation, the oral consumption of a large water volume (a useful measure to control hematuria and avoid clot formation) could not be applied to the patient due to urine storage and normal voiding being not feasible. Subsequently, the patient was informed on the option of superselective arterial embolization (SAE). Following signing of the relevant consent form, the patient underwent bilateral SAE of prostatic and inferior cystic arteries, while he was in heparin delivery. Dabigatran was re-administered on the 5th postprocedural day and the catheter was removed following 5 days. Following a 4-month follow-up, the patient's condition was stable with no traceable hematuria. In conclusion, the minimal invasiveness of SAE is an attractive option, notably in patients with cardiovascular comorbidities. It appears to be a safe alternative with an acceptable rate of minor complications. The encouraging results and the survival outcomes warrant further evaluation with comparative prospective multicenter studies.

Super-Selective Trans-Catheter Arterial Embolization (TAE) of the Vesical Arteries in the Management of Intractable Hematuria Secondary to Advanced Bladder and Prostate Cancers

This article was previously presented as an abstract at the 18th UAA Congress, Seoul, October 15-17, 2020, and the abstract was published in The International Journal of Urology. It was also presented as an e-poster at the 2021 BAUS Annual Meeting on June 22, 2021. Introduction In frail patients intractable hematuria secondary to advanced pelvic malignancies is a clinical challenge. Super-selective TAE of the vesical arteries is a suitable minimally invasive option. We present our experience in this patient cohort. Patients and methods All patients who underwent TAE from January 2014 to December 2019 were included. Super-selective TAE of the superior and inferior vesical arteries was done using 300-500µ polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles. Demographic data, cancer stage, associated urinary system obstruction, pre-embolization palliative treatment, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy were recorded. Technical and clinical success, time to cessation of hematuria, recurrence of hematuria, and complications were recorded. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation, and statistical significance is set at p<0.05. Results From 2014 to 2019, seven patients underwent eight procedures. The average patient's age was 60.6±10.3 years. All presented with gross hematuria, six due to locally advanced and/or metastatic bladder cancer, and one due to prostate cancer. The average time of hematuria clearance was 60 hours. The average hemoglobin levels at the time of the procedure, one month, and six months post-embolization were 9.6±1.7 g/dL, 10.6±1.5 g/dL (p<0.05), and 9.6±0.9 g/dL, respectively (p>0.05). Packed red blood cell (PRBC) requirements decreased from 7±2 units to 5±3 units after the procedure (p >0.05). The patients were followed up for an average of 13.6 months and four had a recurrence at an average of four months post-embolization. Conclusion Super-selective TAE is an effective palliative method in controlling intractable hematuria. The risks of major surgery and anesthesia are omitted, and the procedure can be repeated as needed. Furthermore, post-embolization complications, using this technique, are minor and manageable.

Selective Transarterial Embolization for Intractable Hematuria Due to Bladder Carcinomas: A Single-Center Experience

OBJECTIVE

Malignant bladder neoplasms can cause life-threatening persistent hematuria. Selective transarterial embolization is an effective way to achieve hemostasis in such patients. The purpose of our study is to share our experience in these patients and to evaluate the short- and long-term effectiveness of this procedure.

METHODS

Twelve male patients with intractable hematuria due to bladder carcinoma were included in the study. A total of 17 selective transarterial embolization procedures (bilateral in 5 patients) were performed in 12 patients with microspherical particles and microcoils.

RESULTS

Complete control of bleeding was achieved in 9 patients after the procedures whereas the need for transfusion continued in 3 patients. Approximately 75% bleeding control was achieved during our average 6-month (4- to 12-month) follow-up period. After the procedure, the patients had mild complaints that lasted for a few days, such as pain (66%), fever (42%), and nausea (50%). No major complications occurred.

CONCLUSION

Selective transarterial internal iliac artery embolization is a reliable method that can be used for the palliative treatment of intractable hematuria due to bladder carcinomas.

The role of surgery for loco-regional and advanced urological cancers

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

There is a general misconception that surgery is the antithesis of palliation. However, symptom mitigation, the basic tenet of palliative interventions, can be achieved by invasive procedures. Surgical care, thus, plays an important role in palliative oncology, alongside radiation and systemic therapy. There is global movement to improve palliation in oncology, and thus it is timely to evaluate the role of surgical interventions can play in this setting.

RECENT FINDINGS

Many of the surgical interventions done with palliative intent were first established as curative options. Most studies looked at interventions for local control of primary tumour including extirpative surgeries, while some studies studied pain relief for bone metastases. Results show that patients have an acceptable survival outcome and complication rate comparable to those done in the curative setting. However, not all studies report functional outcomes and symptom-relief consistently, highlighting an unmet need.

SUMMARY

More studies are needed to further define the role of surgery in palliative care. Randomized controlled trials studying surgical intervention in the palliative setting will be challenging because of lack of equipoise, inherent bias in patient and disease characteristics in those who undergo surgery. Nonetheless, studies should endeavour to study symptom-free survival and PROMs as meaningful endpoints of interventions performed in a palliative setting rather than solely focus on hard oncological endpoints of survival.

Endovascular Interventional Radiology of the Urogenital Tract

Interventional radiology of the male urogenital system includes percutaneous and endovascular procedures, and these last consist mostly of transcatheter arterial embolizations. At the kidney level, arterial embolizations are performed mainly for palliative treatment of parenchymal tumors, for renal traumas and, less frequently, for arteriovenous fistulas and renal aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms. These latter may often require emergency intervention as they can cause renal or peri-renal hematomas or significant hematuria. Transcatheter arterial embolization is also an effective therapy for intractable severe bladder hematuria secondary to a number of neoplastic and inflammatory conditions in the pelvis, including unresectable bladder cancer and radiation-induced or cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis. Endovascular interventional procedures for the penis are indicated for the treatment of post-traumatic priapism. In this article, we review the main endovascular radiological interventions of the male urogenital system, describing the technical aspects, results, and complications of each procedure at the various anatomical districts.

Transarterial Embolization in the Management of Intractable Haemorrhage

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and long-term results of selective transarterial iliac embolization (STIE) in patients with intractable bladder haemorrhage (IBH).

METHODS

Twenty-five patients with a median age of 84 (range 65-94) years underwent STIE because of IBH between 2002 and 2020. The median follow-up time was 3 (mean 13.9) months. Patients were treated because of bleeding bladder or prostate cancer, radiation-induced haemorrhagic cystitis, and other conditions. Success was defined as technical success (feasibility to embolize bilateral hypogastric arteries or neoplastic arteries) and as clinical success (absence of further or additional therapy).

RESULTS

Twenty-five patients with a median age of 84 years with a median hospital stay of 7 days were embolized at our institution. In total, 60% required additional therapy. Only 20% had minor complications, but no complication major was seen; 60% needed an additional therapy because of continuous bleeding. Our 30-day, 90-day, 6-month, and 12-month mortality rates were 28, 44, 64, and 76%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

STIE in IBH is a safe, well-tolerated, and feasible procedure for palliating haematuria patients in poor general condition. Major complications are very rarely seen. However, patients often need additional therapy after STIE.