Case Report 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Writing and Publishing

What is a Case Report?

A case report is a detailed narrative of a unique or rare medical case. It serves as a crucial entry point into medical research, providing early evidence for new diseases, novel presentations of known conditions, or unexpected treatment outcomes. Though case reports offer the lowest level of scientific evidence, they often inspire further research and innovation.

Why Write a Case Report?

Publishing a case report has several benefits, especially for medical students and early-career clinicians:

• Explains disease mechanisms: Offers insights into disease progression and treatment.

• Recognizes and describes new diseases: Helps in identifying emerging conditions.

• Highlights rare disease manifestations: Expands clinical understanding.

• Identifies adverse or beneficial treatment effects: Contributes to patient safety and treatment refinement.

• Boosts academic credentials: Enhances CVs and increases chances of research involvement.

Structure of a Case Report

A well-structured case report follows a standardized format to ensure clarity and impact. Here’s a breakdown of the essential components:

1. Abstract

The abstract provides a concise summary of the report, generally within 150-200 words. It consists of three main sections:

- Background: Introduces the case's significance.

- Case Presentation: Outlines patient demographics, symptoms, diagnosis, and management.

- Conclusion: Highlights the key takeaway from the case.

> Tip: Avoid in-text citations in the abstract. Keep it precise and engaging.

2. Introduction

This section provides background information on the case, including:

- A brief overview of the condition.

- Prevalence and incidence rates.

- Common presentations and why this case is unique.

- A one-sentence summary of the case’s highlight, e.g., “Here we describe an atypical case of tuberculosis presenting with generalized lymphadenopathy.”

3. Case Description

This is the heart of the case report, describing the patient’s medical journey in a structured yet engaging manner:

- Patient demographics: Age, gender, relevant history.

- Clinical presentation: Symptoms and chief complaint.

- Physical examination findings.

- Diagnostic investigations: Blood tests, imaging, pathology results.

- Management and treatment.

- Follow-up and final outcome.

> Tip: Write this section like a compelling story while maintaining scientific accuracy.

4. Discussion

The discussion is the most critical section, as it contextualizes the case within the existing medical literature. It should:

- Explain the epidemiology and pathology of the condition.

- Compare the case with similar reports in the literature.

- Highlight unique aspects of the case that make it worthy of publication.

- Discuss potential strengths and limitations.

- Suggest how the findings could impact future clinical practice.

> Tip: Use citations strategically to support key points without overloading the text with unnecessary details.

5. Conclusion

A short paragraph summarizing:

- The main takeaways from the case.

- Its significance in clinical practice.

- Possible future research directions.

> Tip: Some journals integrate the conclusion into the discussion section, so check submission guidelines.

6. References

Case reports generally have a limited number of references (10-15 in most journals). Use a citation format (e.g., APA, MLA) as required by the target journal. Some useful reference databases include:

- PubMed (for peer-reviewed articles)

- Google Scholar (for broader searches)

- Scopus (for high-quality academic papers)

Writing and Submission Tips

• Keep it concise: Case reports are usually limited to ~1200 words.

• Use clear and professional language: Avoid jargon and ensure readability.

• Follow journal guidelines: Check specific formatting and word count requirements.

• Choose the right journal: Opt for journals that frequently publish case reports in your specialty.

• Engage mentors or peers: Get feedback from experienced researchers before submission.

• Be prepared for revisions: The peer-review process often involves changes before final acceptance.

Final Thoughts

Writing a case report is a fantastic way to get started with medical research. It enhances clinical understanding, strengthens academic credentials, and contributes to scientific knowledge. Whether you’re a medical student, intern, or junior doctor, a well-crafted case report can be your stepping stone into the world of medical publishing.