Referred facial sensation on the hand after full face transplantation

Neurology. 2016 Mar 1;86(9):836-9. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000002409. Epub 2016 Feb 3.

Abstract

Objective: Using a single patient case study, we aimed to look at the interaction between full face transplantation and subsequent somatosensory representation in the cortex.

Methods: We present a patient with full face transplantation who has recovered primary sensory modalities. The patient also has facial sensations such as touch perception in sensory examinations of the hands and fingers.

Results: fMRI findings show interactions between the cortical representations of the face and hand.

Conclusion: This phenomenon is one of the well-known referred sensations and reveals how face transplantation relates to cortical plasticity.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Facial Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Hand / innervation
  • Hand / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neuronal Plasticity*
  • Pain, Referred / diagnosis
  • Pain, Referred / etiology*
  • Pain, Referred / physiopathology*
  • Somatosensory Cortex / physiopathology*