Embolization is a minimally invasive treatment used to block abnormal blood vessels that contribute to painful or disruptive conditions, including uterine fibroids, prostate issues, joint pain, bleeding tumors, and other vascular problems. At Medical Vascular Partners, double board-certified diagnostic and interventional radiologists Dr. Rajiv Srinivasa and Dr. Taylor Maloney perform these image-guided procedures to target symptoms at the source.
Overview
Embolization is a minimally invasive procedure that reduces or stops blood flow to specific blood vessels that are causing symptoms or disease. Using advanced imaging, your physician threads a catheter through an artery and delivers tiny particles, coils, or medications into the blood vessel. By blocking or slowing blood supply, embolization can shrink tumors, ease pain, control bleeding, and improve organ function without major surgery. This approach allows for precise treatment directly at the source of the problem.
Embolization Treats
Embolization treats a wide range of conditions caused by abnormal or excessive blood flow. By blocking blood vessels that feed problematic tissues, the procedure can shrink growths, reduce inflammation, control bleeding, or improve blood circulation. Because embolization can address the root cause of symptoms, it often helps restore comfort and function for patients dealing with complex vascular or organ-related issues, including:
- Uterine fibroids causing heavy bleeding or pelvic pressure
- An enlarged prostate contributing to urinary symptoms
- Painful joints affected by inflammation and excess blood flow
- Liver tumors requiring a reduced blood supply to limit growth
- Hemorrhoids associated with swollen and engorged blood vessels
- Varicoceles leading to discomfort or fertility concerns
Types of Embolization
Genicular Artery Embolization
(GAE)
Genicular artery embolization targets the small arteries that supply blood to painful knee joints affected by arthritis. Using imaging guidance, tiny particles are placed into these arteries to reduce excess blood flow and inflammation. By limiting this abnormal circulation, GAE helps decrease knee pain, improve mobility, and reduce reliance on medications or surgery.
Hemorrhoidal Artery Embolization (HAE)
Hemorrhoidal artery embolization treats hemorrhoids by blocking the arteries that feed swollen rectal veins. A catheter is guided into these vessels, and small particles are introduced to reduce the blood supply. This shrinks the hemorrhoids from within, easing bleeding, pressure, itching, and discomfort without cutting or removing tissue.
Transarterial Embolization for
Chronic Pain
Transarterial embolization addresses chronic joint or musculoskeletal pain caused by abnormal blood flow and inflammation. By placing microscopic particles into targeted arteries, it reduces nerve irritation and tissue swelling. This controlled decrease in blood supply interrupts pain signals and helps restore mobility, offering an alternative to long-term medications.
Pelvic Congestion
Embolization
Pelvic congestion embolization treats pelvic pain caused by enlarged, malfunctioning veins that trap blood in the pelvis. Through a tiny catheter, coils or particles are placed to seal off these veins and reroute blood flow. Reducing venous pressure alleviates aching, heaviness, and chronic discomfort often linked to pelvic congestion syndrome.
Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE)
Prostate artery embolization treats prostate enlargement by blocking the arteries that supply blood to the gland. Tiny particles are delivered directly into these vessels, causing the prostate to gradually shrink. As the gland shrinks, urinary symptoms such as a weak stream, urgency, and nocturia typically improve without the need for surgery.
Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)
Uterine fibroid embolization targets fibroids by reducing the blood supply that allows them to grow. Through a small catheter, microscopic particles are placed into the arteries feeding the fibroids, causing them to shrink over time. This helps relieve heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pressure, and discomfort while preserving the uterus and avoiding major surgery.
Advantages of Embolization
Embolization offers a targeted, minimally invasive way to treat conditions driven by abnormal blood flow, often without the need for open surgery. Because the procedure focuses directly on the vessels causing symptoms, patients typically experience meaningful improvements with less downtime and fewer risks. Key benefits include:
- Smaller incisions that reduce pain, scarring, and recovery time
- Precise treatment that targets only the problem area
- Lower risk of complications compared to traditional surgery
- Preservation of surrounding healthy tissue and organ function
- Outpatient or same-day treatment options for convenience
- Faster return to normal activities and improved quality of life
How Long Does Embolization Take?
Most embolization procedures take one to three hours, depending on the complexity of the treatment and the number of vessels involved. Afterward, patients rest in a recovery area for monitoring. Same-day discharge is common, especially for outpatient cases.
Embolization FAQs
Is Embolization Safe?
Embolization has an excellent safety profile when performed by experienced interventional radiologists. Because the technique uses tiny incisions and avoids open surgery, risks such as infection, bleeding, and nerve injury are significantly reduced. Your physician evaluates imaging, medical history, and treatment goals to ensure the procedure is appropriate for your condition.
How Effective is Embolization?
Effectiveness depends on the condition being treated, but embolization has demonstrated high success rates for fibroids, prostate enlargement, chronic joint pain, tumors, and vascular abnormalities. By blocking unwanted blood supply, it slows or shrinks problematic tissue, relieves symptoms, and often delays or eliminates the need for major surgery.
Schedule Your Consultation
Medical Vascular Partners is a physician-led practice offering minimally invasive, image-guided treatments to address vascular and organ-related conditions at their source. Our double board-certified diagnostic and interventional radiologists offer patient-centered care to deliver precise, effective results without major surgery. If you’re experiencing symptoms related to fibroids, prostate issues, joint pain, pelvic concerns, or other vascular problems, schedule your consultation to determine your candidacy for embolization in Austin, TX.
