Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE)
As the prostate enlarges with BPH, benign prostatic hyperplasia, it starts to squeeze the peeing tube making it difficult to get urine out. This can lead to urinary frequency, urgency, weak stream and having to get up several times a night to urinate. Medications help but can have unwanted side effects. Urologists work through the penis using roto-rooter techniques, Interventional Radiologists do not. Under conscious sedation, I place a small catheter in an artery just above the hip. Using sophisticated x-ray guidance, i find the arteries that supply the prostate and dribble in small FDA approved beads to help slow down the blood flow. This shrinks the prostate volume between 25-40% which gives 90% of men significant improvement in their urinary symptoms. There is no sexual dysfunction or urinary leakage. Up to 80% of patients can stop their urinary medications 1-2 months after the PAE.
PAE was recently approved by the American Urologic Association as a reasonable alternative in the treatment of symptomatic urinary symptoms.
Dr Nutting has performed over 800 prostate embolizations.
Liver Embolization
The liver is one of the largest organs in the body and can develop cancer. Sometimes it starts in the liver such as hepatocellular carcinoma or migrates there from other parts of the body like the colon, lung, eye, kidney or pancreas. Liver embolization is an hour long, minimally invasive procedure using x-ray guidance. I find the arteries that feed the liver tumor and deposit therapy directly into the tumors. The beads contain chemotherapy or radioactivity to help kill the tumors from the inside. Since the cancer therapy is localized to the tumor, it spares the rest of the body. There are less complications with this targeted treatment and patients recover quicker than traditional surgery. If you feel that you or a loved one may benefit from these procedures, speak with your oncologist and I would be happy to collaborate. Many times, shrinking liver tumors can help improve quality of life and survival. Dr Nutting has performed over 8000 liver embolizations.
Knee Embolization (GAE)
I have specialized expertise in minimally invasive procedures. Our dedicated team of professionals is committed to staying at the forefront of the field, ensuring that you receive the highest standard of care. Experience the difference in our personalized approach. Osteoarthritis of the knee is a very prevalent painful debilitating condition. This can make it difficult for patients to walk or use the stairs. Typical therapies include lifestyle management, medications, joint injections and possibly a knee replacement. Genicular Embolization (GAE) is a therapy gaining acceptance since 2015. Thousands of patients have been successfully treated. This 1 hour outpatient procedure may act as a bridge and delay a knee replacement. Dr Nutting is a principal investigator in an ongoing trial and happy to offer this procedure to our patients. Please discuss this option with your pain doctor or orthopedic surgeon.