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Phantom erection after penis amputation

By neurophilosophy on August 29, 2007.

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) 

Tags
neuroscience

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Unlike women, men do not readily discuss personal medical conditions and disorders with their friends. It is for this reason that pearly penile papules are very misunderstood.

It is not surprising that you would be plagued by worry and paranoia at the appearance of a bump on the rim of your penis. Immediately you would suspect venereal disease or even worse, cancer. The likelihood is that you do not have either, but rather a simple case of pearly penile papules. Pearly penile papules are very common among men, especially uncircumcised men. They are not as a result of bad hygiene and are not contagious in any way whatsoever. Many men actually find that they appear and disappear without any treatment at all.

However, if you are feeling uncomfortable with them, they can be effectively removed with a simple treatment of radiofrequency surgery. You should however consult your doctor and have them seen to should they emit a discharge or are physically painful.

I can't imagine. This is a fiendish variation on "I have no mouth, and I must scream."

that would not be a good position to be in i think.

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]

Hey, thanks for the mention. It seems like every time I run a PubMed search I find more good fodder for the blog. Cheers!

Hmmm... a phantom erection?

I suppose you'll have to phanto masturbate.

May I suggest using your phantom hand?

(sorry, couldn't resist)

I can see this happening; you are so used to having it there, then through various reason, now it's gone. It's a mindset.

I am a MALE Massage Therapy student doing a report on amputation and came across this page I have to say I feel sorry for this man and you all should be ashamed for making such off color comments.