Uses of Case Reports in Medical Literature

NCI dictionary terms case report as “a detailed report of the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of an individual patient.” ¹

The case report is an accepted publication method in the medical literature.  It is an observational, descriptive method of vigilantly recording unbiased observations. It should include information on the patient’s socio-demographics medical history, diagnosis, prognosis, prior and current treatments and investigation results, treatment and management protocols.

Case reports can be published on atypical observations, a surprising connection between a disease or symptom, an unanticipated occurrence when studying or treating a patient,  data that elucidate probable pathogenesis of an adverse effect,  uncommon disease trait, a curious amalgamation of signs and symptoms confounding diagnosis, extraordinary therapeutic methodologies, anatomical variations,  a new theory proposal, query concerning existing theory, novel manifestation, enhanced expression of a known disease feature, using new technology or method, and those findings that have a personal impact. ^2,3,4

Considering the broad arena for which case reports can be published, they serve as a great way of publicising information about atypical clinical syndromes, disease interrelations, different therapeutic side effects and therapeutic response, and teaching aid. They are easy to understand and access. The downside is that they lack statistical validity. ^2,3,4

References

1. https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/case-report

2.  El-Gilany AH.What is Case Report? Asp Biomed Clin Case Rep. 2018 Aug 17;1(1):7-9

3. Gopikrishna V. A report on case reports. J Conserv Dent. 2010;13(4):265-271.

4. Carleton HA, Webb ML. The case report in context. Yale J Biol Med. 2012;85(1):93-96.