Paediatric mononeuritis multiplex: a report of three cases and review of the literature.

Mononeuritis multiplex results from disease processes causing multifocal injury to the peripheral nerves, with or without involvement of one or more cranial nerves. Most reported cases of paediatric mononeuritis multiplex have been related to autoimmune disorders. We present clinical and neurophysiologic findings in three cases of multiple mononeuropathy occurring in adolescence, with onset at ages 16, 17 and 13 years. Two of these cases were related to systemic vasculitis, one possibly representing a paediatric case of non-systemic vasculitis. Sural nerve biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of vasculitis in one patient with systemic lupus erythematosus, but was non-diagnostic in another case. Mononeuritis multiplex is an extremely uncommon form of acquired peripheral neuropathy in childhood. We discuss the differential diagnosis and review previous descriptions of this rare condition.