Frozen Shoulder Embolization: Clinical and Imaging Fundamentals for Interventionalists

Adhesive capsulitis or frozen shoulder is an idiopathic condition causing progressive shoulder pain and restriction of glenohumeral motion. Conventional management includes physical therapy, intra-articular injections, and surgery for refractory cases. In recent years, adhesive capsulitis embolization (ACE) has emerged as a minimally invasive endovascular treatment targeting pathological neovascularization associated with chronic inflammation. This article reviews the clinical background, pathophysiology, imaging findings, patient selection, technical aspects, and outcomes of ACE, with a focus on practical considerations for interventional radiologists.