RT Book, Section A1 Bissonnette, Bruno A1 Luginbuehl, Igor A1 Engelhardt, Thomas SR Print(0) ID 1164078436 T1 MERRF Syndrome T2 Syndromes: Rapid Recognition and Perioperative Implications, 2e YR 2019 FD 2019 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 9781259861789 LK accessanesthesiology.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1164078436 RD 2024/03/28 AB MERRF is an acronym that stands for Myoclonus Epilepsy Ragged-Red Fibers. It is part of a larger spectrum of muscular disorders called mitochondrial encephalomyopathies. The most frequent symptom is myoclonic seizures that are usually sudden, brief, jerking spasms that can affect the limbs or the entire body. Ataxia, lactic acidosis, dysarthria, optic nerve atrophy, short stature, hearing loss, dementia, and nystagmus may occur. Progressive peripheral neuropathy causes altered sensation that reproduces walking on pins-and-needles. Most patients have signs of cardiomyopathy and dysrhythmia, usually Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome. Occasionally, patients may show lipomas around the neck and retinitis pigmentosa.