– Dr Nupur Shrirao, Editorial for Oct 2021 Case Report special issue

A case report is a detailed report of the symptoms, signs, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of an individual patient. Writing a case report represents your first effort at getting articles published in scientific journals and magazines. It is an easy and quick way to learn how to write ‘scientifically’ – and since it is easy and quick to read as well, it means your article will be read by a lot more dentists than research or review articles. Here I will be discussing how to write a good case report – I hope you try to write one as soon as you finish reading this!

In this Article

How to select a case for the case report?

Every case is unique in a way, but every case cannot be reported. I am giving you some pointers on how to select a good case and ensure it gets published after all those writing efforts – the next time you go to your clinic, document the case if you observe any of the following:

rare or unusual clinical conditions in a known disease
a previously unreported or unrecognized disease
unusual side effects to therapy/medication or response to conventional treatment
unique use of imaging modalities or diagnostic tests to assist diagnosis of a disease
illustration of a new theory/technique/material
any case which questions a current theory/technique/material.

Remember that your selection of a case should fulfil one of these criteria:

a source of new/clearer knowledge
an important means for education and learning.

If your case does not fulfil one of the these criteria, drop the case. Don’t report a case which is already published repeatedly in literature – it amounts to redundant literature and holds no value.

Structure of a case report

Case reports are shorter than most other types of articles. They consist of the following six sections:

an abstract
an introduction with a short literature review
a description of the case
a discussion with detailed literature review
a brief summary and conclusion of the case and
references

To enhance the case report’s flow and clarity, make sure you include some

case pictures/instrument pictures/technique pictures/illustrations
tables
figures
graphs

Abstract

An abstract is not compulsory, but it is always better if you give one. The abstract should summarize the case, the problem it addresses, and the message it conveys. Abstracts of case studies are usually short (preferably not more than 200 words) and unstructured (not subdivided into different headings but a single paragraph).

Introduction

The introduction gives a brief overview of the problem that the case addresses, citing relevant literature where necessary. It should provide background information on why the case is worth reading and publishing. The introduction generally ends with a single sentence describing the diagnosis and treatment plan executed.

Case description

The case description or summary is the focus of the case report. The case should be best presented in enough detail for the reader to establish his or her own conclusions about the case’s validity.

The details of the case in the following order:

Patient description – age, gender
Case history – medical history, dental history, history of present illness
Extraoral and intraoral examination results
Results of X-rays and lab investigations, if any
Treatment plan – expected outcome & actual outcome.
Post operative instructions and follow-up .

This has to be written in a concise paragraph format, and not in a case history sheet format! The author’s own interpretation or inferences should be avoided in the body of a case report. Tables/figures should be used to reveal chronological findings or to compare observations using different methods.

Patient consent – Informed consent in an ethical requirement for most studies involving humans, so before you start writing your case report, take a written consent from the patient. For minor patients, take parental consent and for disabled adults take the consent of closest family members.

Patient anonymity – Remember not to disclose any information that might reveal the identity of the patient. You need to be particularly careful with pictures, and ensure that pictures of the affected area do not reveal the identity of the patient (use of black strips on the eyes is recommended).

Discussion

The discussion is the most important section of the case report. It interprets the key findings of the case report, contrasts the case report with what is already known in the literature to justify its uniqueness and draws clinically useful conclusions. This section should start by expanding on what has been said in the introduction, focusing on why the case is noteworthy and the problem that it addresses.

This should be followed by a summary of the existing literature on the topic. This part should describe the existing theories and research findings on the key issue in the patient’s condition. The review should narrow down to the source of confusion or the main challenge in the case. In comparing the new case with prior knowledge, you should briefly summarize the published literature and show in what aspect the present case differs from those previously published, and thus deserves to be read and published.

Finally, the case report should be connected to the existing literature, mentioning the message that the case conveys. The author should explain whether this corroborates with or detracts from current beliefs about the problem and how this evidence can add value to future clinical practice.

Conclusion

The author should provide the main conclusion of the case report based on the evidence reviewed in the discussion section. A concise statement of the lesson to be learnt from the case could be stated. Here, the author can give suggestions and recommendations to clinicians, teachers, or researchers. This section should be concise and not exceed one paragraph.

See Highlights below for example

Esthetic Case Report

Maxillo-facial Case Report

Orofacial Pain Case Report

Endodontic Case Report

Oral Surgery Case Report

Periodontic Case Report

References

The references listed at the end of the case report should be carefully chosen by virtue of their relevance – quality over quantity, even 5-6 references are enough! Literature mentioned in the Introduction & Discussion sections must be mentioned sequentially here. You may also provide additional information for readers interested in more details. (like a ‘Further Reading’ section).

To conclude, I hope I have simplified the concept of a case report, enough for you to consider writing one! Consider the 6 articles mentioned in the highlights of this issue as examples of everything that I have written. You can email me your articles (or doubts) at editor@dentalreach.co!

Also read: The Journey of Women in Dentistry

FAQs

What is a dental case report?

A dental case report is a document that describes a specific dental problem or treatment plan of a patient, including their medical and dental history, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes.

What is the purpose of a dental case report?

The primary purpose of a dental case report is to document and share clinical experiences and outcomes, which can help other dental professionals improve their practices and provide better care to their patients.

How do I write a dental case report?

To write a dental case report, you should begin by obtaining informed consent from the patient, gathering all relevant information about their medical and dental history, performing a thorough examination and diagnosis, developing a treatment plan, and documenting the treatment process and outcomes.

What information should be included in a dental case report?

A dental case report should include the patient’s medical and dental history, diagnosis, treatment plan, treatment process, and outcomes. It should also include any complications or challenges encountered during treatment and how they were addressed.

How important is it to obtain informed consent before writing a dental case report?

Obtaining informed consent from the patient is essential before writing a dental case report. Informed consent ensures that the patient understands the purpose of the report, how it will be used, and the potential risks and benefits of sharing their personal health information.

Are there any ethical considerations to keep in mind when writing a dental case report?

Yes, there are several ethical considerations to keep in mind when writing a dental case report, including patient confidentiality, informed consent, and potential conflicts of interest.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when writing a dental case report?

Common mistakes to avoid when writing a dental case report include providing incomplete or inaccurate information, using technical jargon that may be difficult for non-dental professionals to understand, and failing to obtain informed consent from the patient.

Can dental case reports be used for research purposes?

Yes, dental case reports can be used for research purposes, but it is important to ensure that patient confidentiality is protected, and informed consent has been obtained before using the information for research purposes.

Who can benefit from reading dental case reports?

Dental case reports can benefit a wide range of people, including dental professionals, researchers, educators, and patients who are interested in learning more about specific dental procedures or treatments.

Are there any guidelines or templates available for writing dental case reports?

Yes, there are several guidelines and templates available for writing dental case reports, including those provided by professional dental organizations, such as the American Dental Association (ADA) and the International Journal of Dentistry.