PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Scott M. Wright
AU  - Chrisostomos Kouroukis
TI  - Capturing zebras: what to do with a reportable case
DP  - 2000 Aug 22
TA  - Canadian Medical Association Journal
PG  - 429--431
VI  - 163
IP  - 4
4099  - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/163/4/429.short
4100  - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/163/4/429.full
SO  - CMAJ2000 Aug 22; 163
AB  - WE HAD ATTEMPTED TO PUBLISH A REPORT OF AN UNUSUAL manifestation of an uncommon disease discovered at autopsy. The case report was not accepted for publication because we had failed to order a highly specific test that would have unequivocally confirmed the diagnosis we entertained and subsequently wrote about. After much deliberation about this case and an extensive review of the literature, we now believe that there is a preferred approach to dealing with a reportable case. Because physicians seldom encounter cases that are reportable, we felt that sharing the important lessons we learned from our missed opportunity might prove helpful and encourage those who are considering preparing a case report for publication.