Everything You Need to Know About Writing and Publishing a Case Series

A case series is a valuable research tool that involves the detailed reporting of several related clinical cases, offering insights into patterns, trends, and outcomes for specific diseases, conditions, or treatments. Like writing a case report, compiling a case series requires a structured approach, attention to detail, and adherence to established guidelines. This blog post will walk you through the essentials of writing and publishing a case series.

What is a Case Series?

A case series is a collection of individual case reports focused on patients with the same disease or condition. Unlike single case reports, case series offer an opportunity to observe trends, draw early conclusions, and generate hypotheses about treatments, disease progression, or outcomes.

Why Write a Case Series?

• Recognition of Patterns: Case series can highlight trends in diseases or responses to treatment, especially when there’s limited data available.
• Exploring Rare Conditions: They help document rare conditions or responses that may not be well-established in the literature.
• Contributing to Medical Knowledge: Case series often serve as preliminary observations that may lead to more extensive research, such as randomized controlled trials.

Key Elements of a Case Series

Like a case report, a case series follows a structured format. However, there are some differences in scope and depth as you are reporting multiple cases.

Section	Description	Guidelines/Best Practices
Title	A concise title that reflects the common thread among the cases, including the condition, treatment, or outcome.	- Mention the number of cases (e.g., "A Case Series of 5 Patients with...").
Abstract	A summary of the background, methods, cases presented, and conclusions.	- Include the number of cases, main observations, and clinical implications.
Introduction	Provides background on the disease, condition, or treatment being studied, and the rationale for reporting the series.	- Justify the need for the case series based on gaps in existing literature. - State why the cases are significant.
Methods	Describes how cases were selected, what data was collected, and how the study was conducted.	- Explain inclusion/exclusion criteria, and data collection methods. - Ensure reproducibility.
Case Presentations	Detailed account of each patient’s clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome.	- Present each case separately in a clear and organized manner. - Include key demographics and clinical findings.
Discussion	Interpretation of findings across cases, highlighting similarities, differences, and key takeaways.	- Compare your series with previously published reports. - Discuss clinical lessons, limitations, and future directions.
Conclusion	Summarizes the implications of the case series and its contribution to clinical practice.	- Focus on how the series contributes to the understanding of the condition and what research or clinical steps are next.
References	A list of cited peer-reviewed studies, case reports, or relevant guidelines.	- Follow the referencing style of the target journal (e.g., APA, AMA, Vancouver).
Figures/Tables	Use figures or tables to summarize case data, lab results, or treatment outcomes.	- Include patient consent and de-identify patient information. - Ensure clarity and readability of data.
Consent	Obtain and document patient consent for all cases presented in the series.	- Consent is mandatory for publication and must be mentioned clearly in the report.
Ethics	Follow ethical guidelines for human research, including maintaining patient confidentiality.	- Follow institutional ethical review board guidelines, if applicable.
PROCESS Guidelines	Case series should follow the PROCESS (Preferred Reporting of Case Series in Surgery) guidelines.	- Cite the PROCESS guidelines in the report. - Submit a completed PROCESS checklist.

Case Series Guidelines

For case series, it is essential to follow structured reporting guidelines like the PROCESS Guidelines for surgical cases. These guidelines help ensure that your series is detailed, ethical, and clinically valuable. PROCESS stands for Preferred Reporting of Case Series in Surgery, but it is often applicable to other specialties as well.

1. Follow the PROCESS Guidelines
   For all case series, whether surgical or non-surgical, ensure adherence to the PROCESS guidelines to maintain a high standard of reporting. You can access the PROCESS guidelines and checklist to ensure that your report includes essential elements such as case selection, follow-up data, and outcome reporting.

   • Full guidelines and checklist available here.

2. Ethical Considerations
   Ensure that you have the necessary ethical approval if applicable and that patient anonymity is maintained throughout the series. A statement about ethical approval and patient consent should be clearly mentioned in the report.

Steps to Writing a Case Series

Step	Description
1. Identify a Common Theme	Select cases that share a common disease, treatment, or condition. Ensure the cases are clinically significant and provide valuable insights.
2. Review the Literature	Conduct a thorough literature review to understand the context and existing knowledge about the topic. Highlight the gaps that your case series will address.
3. Obtain Consent	Secure informed consent from each patient or their legal guardian for publication, and maintain confidentiality in all reports.
4. Write a Structured Draft	Use the standard format outlined above (Title, Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Case Presentations, Discussion, Conclusion).
5. Follow Guidelines	Adhere strictly to the PROCESS guidelines for case series, ensuring inclusion of all necessary data and ethical considerations.
6. Analyze Trends	Look for trends and commonalities in the cases that can offer new insights or confirm existing knowledge. Focus on patterns of diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes.
7. Include Figures and Tables	Use tables and figures to summarize and present data effectively (e.g., patient characteristics, treatments, and outcomes).
8. Proofread and Edit	Review the draft for clarity, consistency, and adherence to journal guidelines. Ensure the language is concise and clinical.
9. Submit to a Journal	Select a journal that publishes case series and follows a rigorous peer-review process. Ensure that the case series fits the scope of the journal.

Choosing the Right Journal for Your Case Series

Choosing the right journal is crucial to ensuring your case series reaches the intended audience. Some journals specialize in publishing case reports and case series, while others have dedicated sections for them.

Common Journals for Case Series

Journal	Description
BMJ Case Reports	Publishes case reports and case series across a range of specialties.
Journal of Medical Case Reports	Focuses on case reports and case series that contribute to medical practice and education.
International Journal of Surgery	Publishes high-quality case series and follows the PROCESS guidelines.
Case Reports in Surgery	Publishes case series and individual case reports in surgery and related disciplines.

Tips for a Successful Case Series Publication

• Be Comprehensive: Ensure your series covers all relevant aspects of the cases, from patient demographics to long-term follow-up.
• Find Novelty: Case series should present new findings, whether it’s an emerging pattern, a new treatment outcome, or a trend in disease manifestation.
• Include Data: Use tables, charts, and figures to succinctly present patient data, comparisons, and trends across cases.
• Ensure Ethical Compliance: Patient confidentiality and ethical reporting are paramount. Ensure all consents are in place and the study meets ethical standards.
• Get Feedback: Have colleagues review your case series before submission to catch any missing details and ensure clarity.

Conclusion

Writing a case series allows you to contribute valuable clinical observations, often providing early insights into patterns, treatments, and outcomes. By following a structured approach and adhering to the PROCESS guidelines, you can ensure that your case series is comprehensive, ethically sound, and ready for publication.

With careful planning, clear reporting, and attention to detail, your case series can offer meaningful contributions to medical knowledge and clinical practice.