Non-target embolization: what it means

Non-target embolization

Non-target embolization means the tiny particles used in an embolization reach tissue that was not meant to be treated. After prostate artery embolization (PAE), nearby organs such as the bladder, rectum, penis or seminal vesicles can be affected¹. A review links it to mistaking one artery for another and to particles flowing back the wrong way¹.

A plain-language definition from the ProcedurePath glossary.

Written and reviewed by Varun Danda, MD, interventional radiology resident physician · Last reviewed October 25, 2026

Why it can happen

Arteries in the pelvis vary from person to person. If an artery is mistaken for another, or particles flow backward (reflux), they can lodge in the wrong place¹. The same idea applies to other embolization procedures, such as UFE.

Questions to ask

How do you map the arteries before you put in particles?
Which signs of non-target embolization should I watch for?
Who do I call if I notice them?

Read more: Questions to ask before PAE

Common question

Which organs can non-target embolization affect after PAE?

A review lists the bladder, rectum, penis, seminal vesicles, pelvic bones and skin¹.

Talk with your doctor before you decide. This information does not replace personal medical advice. Read the medical disclaimer.

Sources

Moreira et al., review of adverse events related to prostatic artery embolization, Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology 2017 (PMID 28795212) ↩︎