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Published online: 2024-12-16

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Uterine phantom pain syndrome

Sandra Marisel Botía Pinzón1, Fabian Alexander Leal Arenas1, Natalia Botero Jaramillo1, Fernan Alejandro Mendoza Montenegro1, Edwin Marin Noguera1

Abstract

Phantom uterus pain is an uncommon phenomenon observed in women following a hysterectomy, where painful sensations resembling menstrual cramps or uterine contractions persist despite the removal of the uterus. This report presents the case of a 34-year-old woman from Bogotá, Colombia, diagnosed with advanced endometrial adenocarcinoma who underwent a radical hysterectomy. The patient developed progressive pelvic pain associated with dyspareunia, suggestive of phantom uterus syndrome. Management included neuromodulators and pelvic nerve blockade. This case highlights the complexity of phantom uterus pain, where neuronal plasticity and neuroinflammatory responses may play crucial roles in the generation and persistence of post-surgical pain symptoms. It underscores the need for individualized therapeutic approaches and a deeper understanding of underlying mechanisms to enhance the quality of life of affected patients.

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