When deciding to submit a manuscript, most authors are concerned about a journal’s Impact Factor (IF) and reputation. Recent research has shown that submission choices are influenced by a variety of factors, including peer review experiences, editorial transparency, and some journals’ retraction histories. Understanding these influences can help researchers select journals that afford them the greatest opportunity for successful and respected publication.
How to Structure Case Reports and Review Articles for Medical Journals
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Review Articles for Medical Journals
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How to Structure Case Reports and Review Articles for Medical Journals
Introduction
Medical journals expect a structure for case reports and review articles, with clear objectives and goals. Case reports should follow the CARE Guidelines. Review papers typically follow PRISMA for systematic reviews, and the other categories of review papers will be in a narrative format. Regardless of whether you are reporting a single rare case or synthesizing the literature based on a broader topic, organization, transparency, and standardized reporting are always important.[1],[2],[3]
1. Structuring a Case Report
General Format
Essential components of a case report include:
- Title – Concise and informative (e.g., “Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection in a Young Female: A Case Report”)
- Abstract – Unstructured or structured (Background, Case Presentation, Conclusion)
- Keywords – 3 – 5 MeSH terms
- Introduction – Background, importance of the case, and rationale for reporting
- Case Presentation – Detailed and chronological presentation of the patient
- Discussion – Comparison with existing literature and implications
- Conclusion – Lessons learned
- Patient Consent Statement – Mandatory in most journals
- References – 10 – 15 typically
- Figures & Tables – Imaging and clinical timeline
Example
| Section | Content Example |
| Introduction | A 32-year-old female presented with chest pain without risk factors. |
| Case Presentation | ECG showed ST elevation. Angiography confirmed spontaneous coronary dissection. |
| Discussion | SCAD is under-recognized and may present in young women without risk factors. |
| Conclusion | High suspicion is needed in similar presentations. Early angiography is critical. |
2. Structuring Review Articles
Review articles are defined as narrative reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. Both systematic reviews and meta-analyses rely on PRISMA guidelines [5], whereas narrative reviews demand thematic clarity and analytical complexity.
2.1. Structure of a Narrative Review
| Section | Description |
| Title | Broad yet specific (e.g., “Advances in Immunotherapy for Lung Cancer”) |
| Abstract | Structured: Background, Objective, Method, Results, Conclusion |
| Keywords | 3–6 relevant MeSH terms |
| Introduction | Topic significance and scope |
| Main Body | Thematic or chronological organization (subheadings encouraged) |
| Discussion | Summary of findings, implications, gaps |
| Conclusion | Research needs or clinical recommendations |
| References | 50–100, depending on journal scope |
2.2. Structure of a Systematic Review
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses should include:
- Background – Clinical problem and justification
- Objectives – Clear and structured
- Eligibility Criteria – Inclusion and exclusion details
- Search Strategy – Databases, terms, timeframe
- Data Extraction and Quality Appraisal – Methods used
- Results – Number of studies, synthesis of data
- Discussion – Strengths, limitations, comparison with past reviews
- PRISMA Flowchart – Essential visual summary
Example: Search Strategy Summary
| Database | Search Terms | Results Found | Included |
| PubMed | “lung cancer” AND “immunotherapy” | 1,250 | 18 |
| Scopus | “non-small cell lung cancer” | 980 | 12 |
3. Journal Submission and Formatting Tips
For both article types:
- Use journal-specific templates.
- Adhere to referencing style (e.g., AMA, Vancouver).
- Ensure plagiarism-free and grammatically correct content.
- Use reference management tools (e.g., EndNote, Mendeley).
- Follow ICMJE authorship criteria.
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4. Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Lack of novelty in case reports.
- Poor search strategy or bias in review articles.
- Overuse of jargon without explanation.
- Inadequate citation of primary sources.
5. Conclusion
Understanding and adhering to the correct format for reporting cases and writing review articles greatly increases the chances of acceptance for manuscripts. Authors are to consider clarity, completeness, and compliance with journal formatting to improve their scientific communications.
References
- ICMJE. (n.d.). Icmje.org. Retrieved June 12, 2025, from https://www.icmje.org/recommendations/browse/manuscript-preparation/preparing-for-submission.html
- Alsaywid, B. S., & Abdulhaq, N. M. (2019). Guideline on writing a case report. Urology Annals, 11(2), 126–131. https://doi.org/10.4103/UA.UA_177_18
- Case report. (n.d.). BioMed Central. Retrieved June 12, 2025, from https://jmedicalcasereports.biomedcentral.com/submission-guidelines/preparing-your-manuscript/case-report
- Riley, D. S., Barber, M. S., Kienle, G. S., Aronson, J. K., von Schoen-Angerer, T., Tugwell, P., Kiene, H., Helfand, M., Altman, D. G., Sox, H., Werthmann, P. G., Moher, D., Rison, R. A., Shamseer, L., Koch, C. A., Sun, G. H., Hanaway, P., Sudak, N. L., Kaszkin-Bettag, M., … Gagnier, J. J. (2017). CARE guidelines for case reports: explanation and elaboration document. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 89, 218–235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinepi.2017.04.026
- Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., Altman, D. G., & PRISMA Group. (2010). Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA statement. International Journal of Surgery (London, England), 8(5), 336–341. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2010.02.007