How to Write a Case Report Introduction

The introduction of a case report briefly explains the clinical background and why this case is worth reporting. It should be short, usually two or three paragraphs, and end with a sentence stating what the case adds.

Structure

1. Context: a one- or two-sentence description of the condition and its usual presentation or management.
2. Gap or challenge: what is unusual, difficult or poorly documented.
3. Purpose: a sentence beginning "We report..." that states the case and the lesson.

Tips

• Cite recent, reliable sources (reviews, guidelines, key reports).
• Do not claim "first reported" unless your literature search supports it, and use cautious wording like "to our knowledge".
• Avoid long textbook-style descriptions.
• Do not give away patient details beyond what is needed.

Illustrative example

Invented for teaching. "Drug reaction with eosinophilia can present with fever and rash that resemble infection, which may delay diagnosis and lead to unnecessary antibiotics. Only a few reports describe onset after the drug type involved here. We report a patient in whom the diagnosis was made on day 10 of illness and discuss how earlier recognition might have changed management."

Check the novelty statement

Before writing "to our knowledge, this is the first report", search PubMed and other databases using synonyms and MeSH, and ask an expert. If similar reports exist, state how yours differs or drop the claim.

Citing the introduction well

Use a recent review or guideline for background claims and a small number of key case reports to show the gap. Avoid citing a dozen papers for a simple statement. If you cannot access a paper, do not cite it; ask your library or choose another source. Verify each reference against the original, since citation errors are common in short papers.

Common pitfalls

• An introduction that is longer than the case.
• Unsupported claims of novelty.
• Missing references.

Key takeaways

• Short context, clear gap, and purpose.
• Use careful wording and cite.

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.