Methodological Article

How to write a case report: from clinical observation to scientific report

Bessa JF. How to write a case report: from clinical observation to scientific report. Mastology. 2026;35. https://doi.org/10.29289/2594539420250060

As clinicians, we are trained to recognize unusual cases. As researchers, however, we must learn how to transform these clinical observations into scientific evidence.

In this methodological article, I explain how a well-written case report should go beyond the description of a rare event. It should convey a clear clinical message, follow a logical structure, and provide sufficient transparency for readers to critically interpret the case.

Using the CARE Guidelines as a framework, I review the essential components of a high-quality case report and adapt these recommendations to the field of mastology, illustrating them with practical examples from the literature.

Although case reports occupy the lowest level in the hierarchy of evidence, they remain invaluable for generating hypotheses, describing innovative surgical techniques, reporting unexpected outcomes, and sharing experiences involving rare clinical scenarios.

My goal is to encourage authors, particularly early-career researchers, to view scientific writing not merely as an exercise in publication, but as an opportunity to transform clinical experience into scientific knowledge.