Post-traumatic Visualized Supernumerary Phantom Limbs: A Case Presentation

PM R. 2017 Sep;9(9):943-945. doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2017.01.002. Epub 2017 Jan 20.

Abstract

The experience of supernumerary phantom limbs (SPLs) is a rare phenomenon known to occur following a variety of neurological ailments. This case report details visualized supernumerary phantom arms and legs in a polytrauma patient with suspicion of seizure as the primary contributing factor. Fewer than 30 cases of SPLs have been previously described. SPLs are usually confined to the phantom proprioception/sensation of the limb, with only 6 prior cases reporting visualized SPLs, all of which occurred in the setting of isolated stroke. This case presentation is notable because it is the first to describe visualized SPLs in a polytrauma patient.

Level of evidence: V.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain Injuries, Traumatic / complications*
  • Brain Injuries, Traumatic / diagnosis
  • Brain Injuries, Traumatic / psychology
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Multiple Trauma / complications*
  • Multiple Trauma / diagnosis
  • Multiple Trauma / psychology
  • Phantom Limb / etiology*
  • Phantom Limb / physiopathology
  • Proprioception
  • Quadriplegia / complications
  • Quadriplegia / diagnosis
  • Quadriplegia / rehabilitation
  • Rare Diseases
  • Seizures / complications*
  • Seizures / diagnosis
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / complications
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / diagnosis
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / rehabilitation*