Writing a case report: polishing a gem?

Case reports describe patient cases which are of particular interest due to their novelty and their potential message for clinical practice. While there are several types of case reports, originality and clinical implications constitute the main virtues by which case reports are judged. Defining the educational message and choosing the right audience are vital steps in the process of writing. Generally, a case report is structured, its main components being the abstract, the introduction, the case description and the discussion. Guidelines and tips for writing case reports are not enough for making a successful author, but they help, especially less experienced doctors, to exercise and improve their writing. If properly prepared, case reports can still communicate new observations in an interesting and pleasant way, thereby enriching our knowledge, even in the era of evidence-based medicine.