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

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.