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Phantom erection after amputation of penis. Case description and review of the relevant literature on phantoms
1Neurology Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114, USA.
Background:
Perception of a phantom limb is frequent after an amputation of an upper or lower extremity. Phantom penis is reported infrequently.
Method:
Case description and literature review.
Result:
The phenomenon of phantom penis followed total penectomy. Several aspects were unusual, particularly the existence with phantom only in the erect state, and associated recrudescence of a preoperative painful ulcer. General features of limb phantoms after amputation are reviewed including a résumé of recent studies of cortical reorganization. The phantom process is analyzed looking for clues to the nature of the underlying neural organization. The puzzle of phantom pain is briefly touched on.
Conclusion:
The development of the phantom is attributed to activity in the deafferented parietal sensory cortex.