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

Review Articles for Medical Journals

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How to Structure Case Reports and Review Articles for Medical Journals

Table of Content
1. Introduction
2. Structuring a Case Report
3. Structuring Review Articles
3.1. Structure of a Narrative Review
3.2. Structure of a Systematic Review
4. Journal Submission and Formatting Tips
5. Common Pitfalls to Avoid
6. Conclusion
7. References

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

Most journals adhere to CARE guidelines, which guarantee transparency and completeness in case reporting.[4]

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