Myoclonus epilepsy with ragged-red fibers:a case report and literature review / 北京大学学报(医学版)

ABSTRACT

SUMMARY To demonstrate the clinical manifestation, diagnosis and treatment of myoclonus epilepsy with ragged-red-fibers ( MERRF) , a case of MERRF was presented with review of the literature. A 4-year-7-month-old girl was diagnosed with MERRF. She had tremor, fatigue and developmental delay for more than 2 years. Laboratory tests showed that the serum and urine lactic acid and pyruvic acid increased significantly. Electroencephalogram showed diffuse and focal spike slow wave and slow wave in right central and parietal regions. Electromyogram showed neurological damage. Gene mutational analysis showed mtDNA 8344 A>G mutation. The mutational rate was 78%. Mitochondrial disease MERRF syndrome was diagnosed. Cocktails therapy with vitamins B1, B6, B12, L-carnitine, and coenzyme Q10 was administra-ted to the patient. MERRF is a rare disease. The diagnosis can be made by gene mutational analysis. Cocktail therapy may slow down the deterioration of the disease. Gene therapy is still experimental.