Mononeuritis multiplex is a nervous system disorder that involves damage to at least two separate nerve areas.

Mononeuropathy multiplex; Multifocal neuropathy; Peripheral neuropathy - mononeuritis multiplex

Mononeuritis multiplex is a form of damage to one or more peripheral nerves -- the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. It is a group of symptoms (syndrome), not a disease.

However, certain diseases can cause the injury or nerve damage that leads to the symptoms of mononeuritis multiplex. Common conditions include:

• Blood vessel diseases such as polyarteritis nodosa
• Connective tissue diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus (the most common cause in children)
• Diabetes mellitus

Less common causes include:

• Amyloidosis
• Blood disorders (such as hypereosinophilia and cryoglobulinemia)
• Infections such as Lyme disease
• Leprosy
• Sarcoidosis
• Sjogren syndrome
• Wegener's granulomatosis

Images

Central nervous system

Review Date: 09/13/2010
Reviewed By: Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)