Definition of Mononeuritis multiplex:

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

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

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