The clinical case: validity, values and strategies to approach its writing

Abstract

The case report is used to communicate the experience acquired by its authors with a patient. Although its relevance has been doubted, the case report deserves to be vindicated and contextualized. We review the case report's historical tradition, recent evolution and current formats. We describe its utility as a scientific tool, a continuing education resource and an aid to diagnosis. We reflect on the teaching potential its writing entails. Finally, we provide strategies to address the writing of a radiological case report.

Keywords: Authorship; Autoría; Case report; Caso clínico; Conocimiento; Enfermedades raras; Ethics; Evidence-based medicine; Hipótesis; Hypothesis; Knowledge; Medicina basada en la evidencia; Objectivity; Objetividad; Publicación científica; Rare diseases; Scientific publication; Ética.