Mononeuritis multiplex

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Central nervous system

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

Mononeuropathy multiplex; Multifocal neuropathy

Mononeuritis multiplex is a form of peripheral neuropathy (damage to nerves outside the brain and spinal cord). Mononeuritis multiplex is a group of symptoms, not a disease. The damage to the nerves involves destruction of the axon (part of the nerve cell), which interferes with nerve signaling

The underlying cause of the mononeuritis multiplex affects nerves in multiple, random areas. As the disorder worsens, the damage may become more widespread. Common causes include a lack of oxygen caused by decreased blood flow or inflammation of blood vessels. No cause is identified for about a third of cases.

Common causes of mononeuritis multiplex:

• Diabetes mellitus
• Blood vessel diseases such as polyarteritis nodosa
• Connective tissue diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus

Connective tissue disease is the most common cause of mononeuritis multiplex in children.

Less common causes include:

• Sjogren syndrome
• Wegener's granulomatosis
• Leprosy
• Sarcoidosis
• Amyloidosis
• Forms of diabetic neuropathy
• Disorders of the blood (such as hypereosinophilia and cryoglobulinemia)

Review Date: 09/10/2006
Reviewed By: Daniel Kantor, M.D., Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.