Peripheral polyneuropathy is a primary condition of the peripheral nerves causing symmetrical motor and / or sensory symptoms and signs in the four limbs.

There is a typical sensory change that is a symmetrical glove and stocking loss to all modalities. This pattern of sensory loss is unlike that of individual nerve or nerve root disease. In the latter cases the sensory loss is asymmetrical or confined to one limb.

In demyelinating peripheral neuropathies, such as Guillain Barre Syndrome, the weakness may be proximal and thus simulates myopathic disease.

Generally, polyneuropathies can be categorized as (1):

• The aetiology
• The type of nerve affected (symptomatically)
  • Sensory
  • Motor
  • Autonomic
• The distribution of nerve injury
  • Distal
  • Proximal
• The part of the nerve being affected
  • Axonal degeneration
  • Demyelintion
• The pattern of inheritance