title: Brachial plexus block in phantom limb pain: a case report.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  METHODS
  Before regional anesthesia, the patient suffered from a phantom hand that cramped and was immovable.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological and Clinical Psychology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Preissler
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dietrich
authors.forename: Winfried
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Meissner
authors.forename: Ralph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Huonker
authors.forename: Gunther O
authors.initials: GO
authors.lastname: Hofmann
authors.forename: Wolfgang H R
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Miltner
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Weiss
mesh_terms: D000777:Anesthetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005073:Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010591:Phantom Limb / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D013003:Somatosensory Cortex / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000777:Anesthetics