Cyclic Alternating Pattern of Encephalopathy (CAPE) in CNS infection: a case report

Zaid Waqar; Soban Khan; Maryam Khalil; Bushra Khalid; Zakir Jan; Muhammad Adil; Amina Saddiqa

doi:10.56310/pjns.v18i03.261

Zaid Waqar Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad
Soban Khan Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad
Maryam Khalil Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad
Bushra Khalid Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad
Zakir Jan Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad
Muhammad Adil Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad
Amina Saddiqa Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56310/pjns.v18i03.261

Keywords: CAPE, encephaloathy, EEG, meningitis, encephalitis

Abstract

Cyclic Alternating Pattern of Encephalopathy (CAPE) is rare EEG phenomenon first described in 1944 in a comatose patient. It is similar to sleep EEG pattern of cyclic alternating pattern (CAP) which is a periodic electroencephalogram activity of non-REM sleep. The cyclic alternating pattern (CAP) is defined by sequences of transient electrocortical events that are different from the tonic background and repeat at intervals of up to one minute. CAPE, however, is abnormal EEG pattern. In this pattern of EEG abnormality slow wave activity of 1-2Hz alternates with fast activity of 6-10 hertz. Here we present a case of patient with CNS infection on mechanical ventilation whose EEG showed the above-mentioned pattern.