[A man with 3 arms. Phantom limb perception in intramedullary ependymoma]

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Neurology
• Phantom Limb Research

Background:

• Ependymomas are tumors arising from ependymal cells in the central nervous system.
• Spinal ependymomas, particularly those in the cervical region (C1-C3), can cause significant neurological deficits.
• Surgical resection is a primary treatment modality for spinal ependymomas.

Observation:

• A rare case of a patient experiencing a supernumerary phantom limb is presented.
• This phenomenon occurred after the surgical resection of an intraspinal ependymoma located at the C1-C3 vertebral levels.
• The patient reported perceiving an additional limb that was not physically present.

Findings:

• The development of a supernumerary phantom limb following spinal tumor resection is an exceptionally uncommon occurrence.
• The precise mechanisms leading to this specific phantom limb presentation remain under investigation.
• Potential neurophysiological and neuroplastic changes are considered as contributing factors.

Implications:

• This case highlights the complex and sometimes unpredictable nature of neurological recovery after spinal surgery.
• Further research into the pathophysiology of phantom limb sensations, especially supernumerary forms, is warranted.
• Understanding such phenomena can improve patient care and rehabilitation strategies for neurological conditions.