title: Phantom limb pain from spinal sarcoma: a case report.
abstract: Phantom limb pain is a frequent sequela of amputation. A high prevalence of residual limb pain and back pain also exists among amputees. We present a case of a new-onset severe phantom limb pain resulting from a metastatic spinal mass in an 81-year-old patient with a history of malignant sarcoma and an old hip disarticulation amputation. The metastatic lesion, upon imaging, was found to involve the L3 vertebra and caused moderate compression of the thecal sac on the right and severe right lateral recess stenosis. After the mass was resected, the patient's phantom limb pain resolved. Our case report demonstrates that spinal metastatic pathologies may be a cause of phantom limb pain and should be included in the differential diagnosis of new-onset phantom limb pain or a change in phantom limb pain.
authors.affiliation: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Ernesto
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cruz
authors.forename: Harsh T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Dangaria
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D004188:Disarticulation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010591:Phantom Limb / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation / Q000379:methods; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome