How to Write a Conference Abstract From a Case Report

To turn a case report into a conference abstract, keep the essentials: why the case matters, the key clinical features and course, and the lesson. Condense the CARE elements to fit the word limit, and make sure consent and any approvals meet the conference's requirements.

Steps

1. Check the call: does the conference accept case reports, in which category and with what headings and limit?
2. State the lesson in one sentence.
3. Select essential elements: a brief introduction, patient presentation (age and sex, presentation, key findings, timeline highlights), investigations and diagnosis, treatment and outcome, and the conclusion.
4. Cut: detailed history, long lists of test results and extended literature review.
5. Check consent: confirm that the patient consent covers conference presentation (many consent forms mention publication only) and meets the conference's policy.
6. De-identify details and images.
7. Check against the full report so that the abstract is accurate and consistent.

Illustrative example

Invented for teaching. "Introduction: Delayed drug reactions can mimic infection. Case: A 62-year-old man developed fever and rash eight days after starting an antibiotic; infection tests were negative; symptoms resolved after drug withdrawal and corticosteroids. Conclusion: Consider delayed drug hypersensitivity early when fever and rash follow a new drug." (Invented case.)

Checking against the conference's category rules

Some conferences place case reports in a dedicated clinical vignette category with its own word limit and headings, while others do not accept them at all. Ask which categories fit, and whether a case-based abstract needs ethics or consent documentation at submission. If a conference publishes accepted abstracts, confirm that your consent form allows that and that no identifiable detail is included in the abstract book.

Common pitfalls

• Including too much detail, so that the lesson is lost.
• Forgetting that identifiable details require consent.
• Over-claiming novelty without a literature search.

Key takeaways

• Keep the lesson, a short timeline and the outcome.
• Check consent and conference rules.

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.