Writing your first case report: a structure that works

This page is demonstration content.

The core structure

A case report tells one clinical story clearly: why the case was unusual, what was done, what happened, and what readers should take away. Most journals expect a title that says what is special, a structured abstract, an introduction with a short literature scan, the case description in chronological order, a discussion that is honest about alternatives, and a short conclusion.

Checks reviewers make first

• Was written informed consent obtained for publication? State it explicitly.
• Are identifiable patient details absent from text and images?
• Do the references support each claim, not just decorate the end of the paper?

A caution

Authorship and consent requirements differ between journals. Read the target journal's guidance before you write a single line.