How to write a neurology case report

Abstract

Neurology case reports have a long history of transmitting important medical information across many generations for the improvement of patient care. Case reports contribute much to the physician's knowledge base from which treatment hypotheses and ideas form. Elements of a modern case report, as presented in the CARE (CAse REport) guidelines, include the abstract, introduction, case presentation, discussion, conclusion, patient's perspective, and consent statement. The sections are described here, as well as the application of CARE guidelines to a published neuromuscular case report. Writing case reports offer an ideal opportunity for neurologists to publish interesting case findings and carry on the tradition of neurologic case reporting.

Fig. 1

Edwin Smith surgical papyrus, Case 20, c2800 BC

Fig. 2

CARE (CAse REport) checklist

Fig. 3

CARE (CAse REport) checklist components mapped to elements in an example neurologic case report