mononeuritis multiplex

Mononeuritis multiplex is a condition where several individual nerves are affected simultaneously. This is distinct from polyneuritis, where widely separated nerves are involved, or mononeuritis, which affects only one nerve.1

The symptoms of mononeuritis multiplex are typically confined to the specific body parts served by the inflamed nerves. Inflammation of sensory neurons can cause tingling, burning, or stabbing pains, often worsened at night and by touch or temperature changes. Inflammation of motor neurons can lead to muscle weakness or paralysis, with associated muscle tenderness and potential atrophy. Bell palsy, affecting facial nerves, is an example of mononeuritis.1

While neuritis involves inflammation of a nerve, neuropathy is a broader term for nerve damage or dysfunction. In some cases, neuritis can progress to neuropathy. Treatment focuses on the underlying cause of the neuritis, with pain relief often managed by analgesics.1