The most difficult problem we face in review of manuscripts is poor language or grammar. It is a huge shame to reject articles because they are badly written when the message they contain is important. The language reflects the authors, their institution and the journal, and inevitably, presentation and style hugely influences the perception of the management of any case
- Read the case presentation back to yourself. Is there a natural flow from presentation to discharge and follow-up? Are all decisions explained?
Don’t be afraid to write about complications. They are universal and learning from each other’s experience is key in health care. Do discuss these with clarity so that all findings and management decisions are obvious. The audience are not reading to approve or disapprove but needs to be in a position to make sense of the story. The discussion of pitfalls is the single biggest contribution to learning in case reports:
- unusual presentations of common cases
- inconclusive results
- grey areas in indications for treatment
- management challenges
- near misses
Title of Case
You do not need to include “a case report” in the title – you may be cryptic if you wish. In fact, we do not want you to use the words “a case report”.
Summary
Up to 150 words summarizing the case presentation and outcome We need a good flavor of the case – emphasize the learning points.
Background
Why you think this case is important – why did you write it up? Â Why is the case of interest to our readers? Â Is this a prevalent health problem? Â Is there a clear message?
Case Presentation
Presenting features, medical / social / family history
This is the patient’s story – but please be sensitive to patient confidentiality
- How did they present?
- What is the relevant history? Â Why is this relevant?
- Explain your findings and how they influenced your decisions.
Do not use abbreviations for diseases or investigations.
Investigations – If relevant
All investigations that create a background (baseline) picture are relevant.  All investigations that are crucial to management decisions should be discussed in full.  Chose appropriate images and videos to illustrate your point while maintaining patient confidentiality.
Differential Diagnosis (if relevant)
Please don’t list these. Â What we want to see is how the final diagnosis is teased out. Â What are the consequences to management or treatment for the differential diagnosis?
For example: A man in his 60’s who has smoked for 40 years and presents with epigastric pain radiating posteriorly may have a leaking abdominal aortic aneurysm, acute pancreatitis or a perforated duodenal ulcer. Â Particular historical details and investigations separate these diagnoses, and treatment of each is vastly different; indeed, treating one cause for the other is detrimental. Â Discuss these and the pitfalls that may ensue.
Treatment (if relevant)
Include pharmacological and non-pharmacological, eg, rehab strategies, exercises, therapies, home therapy and patient instructions.
Outcome and Follow-Up
Always include follow up data where you can; it gives readers a clear understanding of outcome. Â The follow-up period should be clearly defined. Â Please state if the patient has died even if not directly related to your case.
Discussion
Include a very review of similar published cases. Â This is the opportunity to describe mechanisms of injury, guidelines and their relevance, diagnostic pathways (use diagrams if you like) and the points of interest to the case.
A brief summary of relevant clinical guidelines is appropriate. Did you have to make an exception? Â Did you have to adapt the guidelines?
Learning Points / Take Home Messages
This is a required section. Â Should be about 3-5 bullet points. Â These are the most crucial parts of the case – what do you want readers to remember when seeing their own patients?
References
Include only relevant references (New England Journal of Medicine style)
Figure / Video Captions
We do not have a limit on illustrations but choose only what illustrates your case more effectively. Â We encourage color images and video files from VNG, CAPS, etc.
Patient Perspective
This is an optional section to give the patient the opportunity to comment on their own experience – only very relevant personal and family details should be included.
Essential Information
We must have signed informed consent from patients (or relatives / guardians) before submitting to journals. Â Please anonymize the patient’s details as much as possible, eg, specific ages, occupations. Consent forms are available in several languages.
Download
A copy of this information and a consent form in english can be downloaded here: