How to Structure a Case Report Manuscript

A case report manuscript usually follows an introduction, case presentation, discussion and conclusion format, expanded with the CARE guideline items. Check your target journal's instructions because required headings and word limits vary.

A standard structure

1. Title: include the key condition or feature and the words "case report".
2. Keywords: a few terms, ideally matching MeSH.
3. Abstract: brief background, the case, and the lesson.
4. Introduction: why the topic matters and why the case is worth reporting.
5. Case presentation: patient information, clinical findings, timeline, diagnostic assessment, therapeutic intervention, follow-up and outcomes.
6. Discussion: strengths and limitations of the approach, relevant literature, rationale for conclusions and the take-away message.
7. Patient perspective (where available).
8. Informed consent statement.
9. Declarations: conflicts, funding, acknowledgements.
10. References and figures.

Writing order that works

Write the case presentation first (the facts), then the discussion and introduction, and the abstract last. Draw the timeline early; it exposes gaps.

Length

Case reports are short, often 1,500–3,000 words depending on the journal. Do not pad; add only what supports the lesson.

Illustrative example

Invented for teaching. Title: "Delayed drug rash with eosinophilia after a new antibiotic mimicking sepsis: a case report". The introduction states the diagnostic challenge, the case section has a timeline table, and the discussion cites three similar reports and states how this case differs.

Adapting to a journal

Read two recently published case reports in the target journal and note their headings, length, number of references and figure style. Some journals ask for a learning-points box, a structured abstract or a specific consent statement. Writing to the journal's format from the start saves rework, and if you plan a second choice of journal, keep the core text in a neutral format that is easy to adapt.

Common pitfalls

• A long case section and a thin discussion.
• Skipping the consent statement.
• Mixing results with interpretation in the case presentation.

Key takeaways

• Follow the CARE items and journal instructions.
• Draft the facts first and the abstract last.

This page is general educational information about research methods. It is not medical, legal or regulatory advice; follow your institution's ethics board and your target journal's instructions.