PERSPECTIVES AND IMPLICATIONS ON ‘HOW TO REPORT AN ANATOMICAL VARIATION?’

Dr. Yogesh Ashok Sontakke* and Dr. Dharmaraj Wamanrao Tamgire

ABSTRACT

Anatomical variations have its significance in the medical literature. Many variations remain unreported due to lack of knowledge about the reporting methodology. Present study was designed to provide perspectives and implications of reporting the anatomical variations. Web-based searches were carried out with key words such as anatomical variations, case reports, scientific writing, limitations, case series, medical education, authorship, etc. The reviewed articles and their cross references were referred to formulate the guidelines for reporting the anatomical variations. Using the reviewed articles, the criteria for the write-up of the various sections such as title, abstract, introduction, case presentation, discussion and reference styling was framed. In addition to this, authorship criteria, limitations, patient privacy and confidentiality were also discussed. These guidelines will be helpful for authors who wish to report the anatomical variations. Over a period, it will increase reporting of unreported cases which will be useful for statistical calculations such as incidence of variations.

Keywords: scientific writing, case report, variation.