Phantabulation: A case of visual imagery interference on visual perception

We report the case of a 52-year old man who, following rupture of an anterior communicating artery aneurysm, presented with a phenomenon not previously described, which we have labelled ‘Phantabulation’. Phantabulation is characterised by frequent and purposeful interactions with contextually appropriate imagined objects. We suggest that this phenomenon results from confusion between real and imagined objects, caused by failure to inhibit florid visual-imagery, facilitated by cortical release mechanisms.