by Matthew Brunner, MHS, PA-C, CAQ-Derm, DFAAPA
Mr. Brunner is with Elevate-Derm Alliance and Dermatology and Skin Surgery Center P.C. in Stockbridge, Georgia.
Introduction
Writing a dermatology case report is a powerful way to contribute to medical literature, share unique clinical insights, and advance the field. A well-written case report not only highlights rare or novel findings but also can engage the scientific community, fostering discussion and collaboration. Here are some tips for creating impactful dermatology case reports that can resonate with editors, reviewers, and readers.
Why Write a Dermatology Case Report?
- Highlight novelty. Showcase rare conditions, unusual presentations, difficult-to-treat conditions, or innovative treatments
- Educate peers. Offer practical insights for clinicians and researchers
- Build reputation. Establish your expertise and contributions to scientific literature
- Drive progress. Inspire further research or clinical advancements
Tips for selecting a case
Selecting a case and writing a case report in dermatology requires a structured approach to ensure the report is clinically relevant, scientifically sound, and engaging. Below are concise tips for both processes:
- Choose clinical relevance. Select a case with unique, rare, or diagnostically challenging features (eg, atypical presentation, novel treatment response, or emerging disease)
- Educational value. Opt for cases that offer teaching points for your specialty and peers, such as new insights into pathophysiology, diagnosis, or management
- Literature gap. Review existing literature to ensure the case adds value (eg, first reported instance, unusual demographic, or underreported condition)
- Data availability. Ensure you have comprehensive patient data (history, clinical findings, images, histopathology, lab results) and patient consent for publication, including images
- Ethical considerations. Ensure compliance with institutional review board (IRB) requirements, if applicable
Tips for writing a case report
- Follow journal guidelines. Target a dermatology journal (eg, JCAD NP+PA) and adhere strictly to its author instructions for structure, word count, and formatting. Occasionally, the more detailed checklists and instructions are stored in the submission portal, which are accessible once you establish your author account.
Key components of a case report.
- Title: Create a concise, descriptive, and engaging title that captures the case’s uniqueness (eg, “Atypical Erythema Multiforme in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Report”).
- Abstract: Summarize the case (50–150 words) with background, case details, key findings, and clinical significance
- Introduction: Provide context, including the disease background, relevance, and why the case is noteworthy (1–2 paragraphs)
- Case Presentation: Detail patient demographics, history, clinical findings, diagnostic workup (eg, biopsy, immunofluorescence), treatment, and outcomes. Include high-quality images (eg, clinical photos, histopathology) with proper labeling.
- Discussion: Analyze the case in the context of existing literature, emphasizing the unique aspects, and discuss implications for practice or research. Address differential diagnoses, diagnostic challenges, or therapeutic insights.
- Conclusion: Summarize key takeaways and potential impact in clinical practice
- References: Cite relevant, recent articles (format per journal guidelines)
Emphasize visuals. Most dermatology cases are captured and described well using images. Include clear, high-resolution images of skin findings, histopathology, or imaging, ensuring patient anonymity (eg, avoid identifiable features, including tattoos). Also, you must ensure you have the proper permissions from the patient before utilizing their image in any setting
Be clear and concise. Use precise medical terminology but avoid jargon overload. Write for a broad dermatology audience and note that, especially for journals that are indexed in PubMed, they might be reviewed by clinicians beyond dermatology.
Highlight novelty. Explicitly state what makes the case unique (eg, first reported association, rare complication) in the introduction and discussion
Collaborate and review: Involve mentors or colleagues for feedback. Proofread for grammar, clarity, and adherence to journal standards.
Additional tips
Use formatting guidelines: Follow the format provided by the journal you select. Another resource for reference is the CARE (CAse REport) guidelines, which provides direction for standardized, high-quality reporting. You can learn more by reviewing their website: https://www.care-statement.org/case-reports.
Leverage technology: Use tools like PubMed or Google Scholar to identify gaps in the literature. Software like EndNote can help manage references.
Stay updated: If searching for inspiration, check recent dermatology case reports on platforms such as PubMed or journal websites for trending topics (eg, immunotherapy-related skin reactions).
Time management: Allocate time for data collection, literature review, writing, and revisions to meet journal submission deadlines.
Conclusion
In summary, contributing to the medical literature through a case report can be an important part of maintaining one’s own intellectual curiosity as well as that of your peers and to further expand awareness of new and/or unusual presentations of dermatologic conditions.