Supernumerary phantom limbs in ICU patients with acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the previously undescribed phenomenon of phantom limb generation in patients with severe acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP).

METHODS

Between April 2011 and January 2014, we encountered 3 patients with AIDP in our intensive care unit who experienced features of self-limited supernumerary phantom limbs (SPLs) during their course.

RESULTS

The following case series describes the phenomenon of SPLs in AIDP.

CONCLUSIONS

This report aims to raise awareness of the possibility of SPLs in the course of AIDP. The pathophysiology and management strategies for this clinical phenomenon are unknown.