This paper appeared in the February 1999 issue of the Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences:
Phantom erection after amputation of penis. Case description and review of the relevant literature on phantoms.
Fisher C. M., Neurology 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 resume 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.
What could be more frustrating than having one's penis amputated and then thinking that one has an erection?
(Via A Good Poop)
Comments
I can't imagine. This is a fiendish variation on "I have no mouth, and I must scream."
Posted by: Size | August 29, 2007 1:03 PM
that would not be a good position to be in i think.
Posted by: ian | August 29, 2007 5:28 PM
There's some good fodder on that site!
Posted by: Shelley Batts | August 31, 2007 1:35 PM
Single Man with phantom penis seeks Single Woman with phantom vagina. Objective: love affair with more than a ghost of a chance...
Posted by: Jonathan Vos Post | September 1, 2007 1:09 PM
http://www.magicdragon.com/EmeraldCity/Poetry/LoveDeathPoems.html
Severence Pain
by
Jonathan Vos Post
Sometimes after amputation the patient thinks he feels a phantom limb, same time,
same place, same channel, where there is pale air only. A man with a splinter
underneath his fingernail was driving to a doctor to extract it
when a car crash cut his arm off. After the pain
of the accident, he ached incurably from
the phantom splinter in his
phantom hand.
[12 Sep 1974]
Posted by: Jonathan Vos Post | September 1, 2007 5:52 PM
Hey, thanks for the mention. It seems like every time I run a PubMed search I find more good fodder for the blog. Cheers!
Posted by: Chris | September 9, 2007 11:27 PM