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What is a case report?

A case report is a descriptive study that presents the detailed signs, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of a single patient. Case reports are typically written when the patient’s condition is unusual, when a novel approach was taken, or when the case offers meaningful clinical insight. They serve an important role in medical and clinical research by sharing lessons learned and forming the foundation for future investigations.


Case reports contribute to the literature by documenting unique observations, raising new questions, and offering early insights that may eventually guide hypotheses, clinical practice or deeper research.


What case reports typically include

Published case reports often describe:

  • Unusual observations
  • Adverse responses to treatments or therapies
  • Unusual combinations of conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion
  • Illustration of a new clinical theory
  • Questions or challenges to a current theory
  • Reflections on personal or clinical impact


These elements help clinicians and researchers recognise emerging patterns or areas needing further exploration.


Key features of case reports

  • Descriptive: Focuses on a single, detailed patient story
  • Clinical insight: Provides context to support clinical reasoning
  • Longitudinal detail: Includes follow-up over time
  • Narrative format: Offers a rich and contextualised account
  • Foundation for research: Generates ideas for future studies


Benefits of case reports

  • Educational value through clinical insight and practice improvement
  • Provides detailed and context-rich descriptions
  • Allows longitudinal follow-up of a single patient
  • Requires relatively few resources
  • Generates hypotheses for future research
  • Ideal for clinicians with busy workloads who may not be able to engage in large research projects
  • Appropriate for reporting rare or unusual cases


Limitations of case reports

  • Generalisations are not possible due to a single case
  • Difficult to compare cases meaningfully
  • No control group is included
  • Subjective interpretation may affect the narrative
  • Publication bias may favour more unusual or dramatic cases


When should you use a case report?

Use a case report when you want to:

  • Describe a rare or unusual clinical presentation
  • Document an unexpected reaction to treatment
  • Highlight a new or emerging clinical issue
  • Share insights that may inform future research questions
  • Reflect on cases that challenge or support existing clinical theories
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