SENSORY DISORGANIZATION AND PERCEPTUAL PLASTICITY AFTER LIMB AMPUTATION - A FOLLOW-UP-STUDY

WE report a follow-up study of a patient who initially suffered from c arpal tunnel syndrome in the right hand, that was alleviated by surger y. Subsequently, the patient's right arm was amputated, and a phantom limb was experienced. Originally, stimuli applied to different areas o n the right side of the face evoked sensations that were referred to t he phantom by precise topographic mapping. On follow-up, one year afte r our initial studies, the topography of referred mapping had become e xtremely disorganized. Furthermore, a new, equally disorganized, patte rn of referred sensations was now found upon stimulation of the left s ide of the face.