OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this case report is twofold: first, to present evidence of long-lasting relief in a patient suffering from phantom limb pain after pharmacologically blocking his plexus brachialis and, second, to replicate results from a previous study focusing on cortical reorganization and phantom limb pain. SUBJECT: Before regional anesthesia, the patient suffered from a phantom hand that cramped and was immovable. SETTING: We performed a diagnostic axillary blockade of the brachial plexus to differentiate peripheral from more central contributions to phantom limb pain. RESULTS: During blockade of the brachial plexus, the patient reported a reduction of phantom limb pain for the first time following years of suffering and a complete loss of cramping together with muscle relaxation of the phantom hand. Additionally, we found cortical reorganization in the primary somatosensory cortex (re-reorganization). Strikingly, the relaxed phantom limb together with the reduction of phantom limb pain remained preserved even 6 months after blockade of the brachial plexus. CONCLUSIONS: A single temporary blockade of the brachial plexus may relieve phantom limb pain and unpleasant phantom feelings (cramping) for an extended period. Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this case report is twofold: first, to present evidence of long-lasting relief in a patient suffering from phantom limb pain after pharmacologically blocking his plexus brachialis and, second, to replicate results from a previous study focusing on cortical reorganization and phantom limb pain. SUBJECT: Before regional anesthesia, the patient suffered from a phantom hand that cramped and was immovable. SETTING: We performed a diagnostic axillary blockade of the brachial plexus to differentiate peripheral from more central contributions to phantom limb pain. RESULTS: During blockade of the brachial plexus, the patient reported a reduction of phantom limb pain for the first time following years of suffering and a complete loss of cramping together with muscle relaxation of the phantom hand. Additionally, we found cortical reorganization in the primary somatosensory cortex (re-reorganization). Strikingly, the relaxed phantom limb together with the reduction of phantom limb pain remained preserved even 6 months after blockade of the brachial plexus. CONCLUSIONS: A single temporary blockade of the brachial plexus may relieve phantom limb pain and unpleasant phantom feelings (cramping) for an extended period. Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Authors: Caroline Dietrich; Sandra Nehrdich; Annette Zimmer; Alexander Ritter; Gunther O Hofmann; Wolfgang H R Miltner; Thomas Weiss Journal: Exp Brain Res Date: 2018-04-17 Impact factor: 1.972
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Authors: Brian M Ilfeld; Bahareh Khatibi; Kamal Maheshwari; Sarah J Madison; Wael Ali Sakr Esa; Edward R Mariano; Michael L Kent; Steven Hanling; Daniel I Sessler; James C Eisenach; Steven P Cohen; Edward J Mascha; Chao Ma; Jennifer A Padwal; Alparslan Turan Journal: Pain Date: 2021-03-01 Impact factor: 7.926