I’m preparing to write a very rare medical case (estimated incidence ≈ 1 / 60 000). My literature search uncovered several isolated case reports and a handful of descriptive papers that touch on specific aspects, but no large series.
Given this background, which study format would add the greatest value—and stand the best chance of journal acceptance?
- Standalone case report (focus on unique clinical details)
- Case report + narrative literature review (merge my findings with existing evidence)
- Case‑based review/systematic review of reported cases (aggregate outcomes across the literature)
- Retrospective cohort or case series (if I can gather additional patients from our network)
For authors, reviewers, or editors who have published on rare conditions:
All insights are welcome—thanks in advance!
For rare cases, you have to take large sample size for take into account of rare disease and also keep the duration of study period long it will you to design the study
If the case demonstrates high novelty—such as a previously unreported mutation, treatment approach, or clinical phenotype—a standalone case report is appropriate. To enhance the manuscript's relevance and appeal to journal editors, it is advisable to include a focused literature review that contextualizes your findings within the existing evidence. This hybrid approach increases the scholarly value and chances of acceptance.
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