Definition of Mononeuritis multiplex

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Mononeuritis multiplex: Inflammation of two or more nerves, typically in unrelated portions of the body.

Mononeuritis multiplex causes a loss of function of the muscle tissue that is innervated by the affected nerve. For example, sudden loss of ability to normally lift the foot up while walking (foot drop) can be caused by mononeuritis multiplex when accompanied by loss of nerve function elsewhere in the body.

There are many causes of mononeuritis multiplex including diabetes mellitus, infections (such as AIDS, Lyme disease, and leprosy), sarcoidosis, and connective tissues diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, vasculitis, Churg-Strauss syndrome, cryoglobulinemia, Sjogren's syndrome.

The treatment of mononeuritis multiplex depends on the underlying cause.