polyradiculoneuropathy

1. Literally, a disease process that affects roots and peripheral nerves. 2. A nontraumatic, usually sporadic, generalized disorder of nerve roots and peripheral nerves, which may affect motor fibers or sensory fibers, but usually both, although often not to the same degree; classified as axon degenerating (axonal) or demyelinating. This disorder has many causes, primarily immune mediated, and includes Guillain-Barré syndrome and chronic inflammatory polyneuropathy.

- acute inflammatory demyelinating p. the classic type of Guillain-Barré syndrome, in which the predominant type of underlying nerve fiber pathology is demyelination. SEE ALSO: acute motor axonal neuropathy.

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poly·ra·dic·u·lo·neu·rop·a·thy .päl-i-rə-.dik-yə-(.)lō-n(y)u̇-'räp-ə-thē n, pl -thies an inflammatory disorder (as Guillain-Barré syndrome) affecting peripheral nerves and the nerve roots of the spinal nerves and marked by demyelination or axon degeneration

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poly·ra·dic·u·lo·neu·rop·a·thy (pol″e-rə-dik″u-lo-n-ropґə-the) 1. any disease of the peripheral nerves and spinal nerve roots. 2. Guillain-Barrй syndrome.