Dr. Emmanuel Abara FRCS(C) FACS FICS
Richmond Hill Urology Practice & Prostate Institute (RHUPPI)
Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM)
Conflict Disclosure Information:
Presenter: Emmanuel O. Abara MB FRCSC.FACS.FICS
Title of Presentation: “Interesting Case! Should we report
it?”: How to Write a Case Report 101
I have no financial or personal relationships to disclose
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Determine what types of cases are worth
reporting and why
Understand how to structure a Case Report
Learn what audience to reach and what
journals to publish in
Understand the Ethics of Publishing
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Physicians in active clinical practice
Faculty seeking to review their knowledge on
Case Report publishing
Fellows
Residents
Research Assistants
Learners
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Case report is like story telling in medicine
Should be clear, short and useful for its
purpose
Is the written form of the verbal presentation
of a case history
Case reports are the lowest cadre in the world
of evidence-based medicine
Can be powerful and instructional
We need to understand the reasons for the
intent to publish
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To assist in structure of the article
To help target the journal and audience
To include in an introductory Letter to the
Editor
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Very rare disease
Association of diseases
Rare presentations of more common diseases
Outcome of a novel treatment
Reporting a particular outcome of a case
management
Mistakes, complications and lessons learned
A new disease entity
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Select a number of journals
Review the various formats of the journals
Make a decision which format may fit your
Case Report best, e.g.: “Lesson of the Year” or
“Photo Quiz”
Review published case reports in the journal
of choice
Follow the guidelines and instructions
precisely, especially regarding word count,
figures and tables
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Abstract
Introduction
The Case Report
Discussion
Conclusion; Lessons Learned
References
Acknowledgement
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Abstract: Brief summary (not required by all
journals)
Introduction: Background information and
why the case is being reported
Case Report
 History
▪ Presenting features
▪ Past Medical History
▪ Social and Family History
▪ Drug History
 Physical Examination
 Investigations
 Differential Diagnosis
 Treatment
 Outcome
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Anonymise the patient(s) as much as possible
Avoid names and initials
Omit non-essential personal details
Table of results can be helpful
Photos of clinical signs and diagnostic studies
are invaluable
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Clarify key issues
Refer to other cases in the literature
A short review of the literature is appropriate
Include the methodology used for literature
search
Message or lesson(s) learned
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Get advice early!
 Especially regarding: Key Message and Reason for
the Case Report
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Get others not involved in the management
of the case to proofread the article and
consider their comments carefully
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Consent
Consider privacy laws
Duty of confidentiality persists even if the
patient has died, e.g.: Role of Next-of-Kin
Deliver a copy of published paper to the
patient or relative
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Publication should be in the public interest
Every effort to contact patient or next-of-kin
should have failed
Every effort to anonymise the case report
should be made
Average person unlikely to withhold consent
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Consider assent to publish from other
clinicians involved in the care of the patient
Authors included need to have intellectual
input
Avoid a “soccer team” of authors
Many journals may limit the number of
authors
Letters and consent from various named coauthors may be required
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Have all the consents and assents to publish
Follow all the instructions and guidelines of
the journal webpage
Write and include a cover letter to the editor
A Case Report may be the
beginning of a glorious and
successful career in
medical writing!