Submit a Case

Each Case Study of the Month consists of a brief introductory paragraph about the patient or biopsy followed by one or more questions. Each case contains at least one question with five possible (and plausible) answers. After the reader selects an answer, they will gain access to a detailed one- to two-paragraph explanation for the best answer and a brief explanation of why other options are incorrect or less preferred.

Please note: ASDP has adopted the ABD item writing guidelines as its template for self-assessment questions. Please review those guidelines.

Possible questions include:

  • Which of the following is the best diagnosis?
  • Which of the following is the most appropriate next step?
  • Which of the following is most likely to confirm the diagnosis? (could include immunohistochemical or special stains, genetic testing, in situ hybridization, gene rearrangement, etc…)
  • Which of the following is the most appropriate screening test?
  • For which of the following conditions is the patient at greatest risk?
  • Which of the following is the most likely explanation for these findings?
  • Which of the following is the most likely pathogen?
  • Which of the following findings is most likely?

Case Study of the Month Format

General Requirements. All cases should be original without the use of artificial intelligence. Cases must be submitted by clicking on the submission link below.

REQUIREMENTS:

Author Information. Each case must include the name of physician(s) submitting the case, each author's title, medical specialty, hospital affiliation, email address and phone number, a photograph and a 3 - 4 sentence biographical statement. Additionally, the ASDP requires that author(s) disclose any grants or funds received related to the case. All authors must review the case prior to submission. Limit of three authors per case.

Title. Title of case study that does not give away the diagnosis or answer to the questions.

Clinical history. Present essential clinical information (HPI, relevant medical history, physical exam findings, lab tests, and prior treatments).

Images and Illustrations. All cases must include a minimum of two images. Submit images as electronic files in .jpeg format. The images must have a resolution of 72 pixels per inch. Image file names must correspond with the references, in Arabic numerals (for example, fig. 1) within the text of the case study.

Slides/Digital Images. Authors of accepted cases are required to provide a WSI scanned at 40x in either .SVS or .NDPI format. If authors don’t have access to a scanner, they must provide a H&E glass slide as directed by ASDP. Glass slides will be returned after scanning. By submitting a case, authors acknowledge that digital image will be added to the ASDP Virtual Slide Library.

Videos. ASDP has a designated YouTube account where videos can be uploaded for use with Case Study of the Month. For information on how to include a video with your submission, contact ASDP Headquarters at +1-847-572-2188 or [email protected].

Questions. This section includes one to three question and answer modules. Each element of the question and answer module is comprised of a question with five (5) potential answers arranged in alphabetical order. Example:

Which of the following is the best diagnosis?

A. (possible, but wrong)
B. (best answer)
C. (possible, but wrong)
D. (possible, but wrong)
E. (possible, but wrong)

Rationale for the Answers. This element of the question and answer module provides the reader with a one to two paragraph explanation for the best answer and a brief explanation of why the other answers are incorrect or less preferred. Example:

Why A is incorrect/less preferred (brief statement)
Why B is best (one-two paragraphs)
Why C is incorrect/less preferred (brief statement)
Why D is incorrect/less preferred (brief statement)
Why E is incorrect/less preferred (brief statement)

References. Only articles that have been published in scientific journals and medical texts or are in press may be included. They should be numbered in the order in which they appear in the text, and should be given in the format of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors and the National Library of Medicine. Journal titles should conform to the abbreviations in Cumulated Index Medicus. Give names and initials of all authors (unless four or more, in which case give the first three only then et al.). For examples, see below.

For journal articles:
Kofler H, Wambacher-Gasser B, Topar G, et al. Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment in therapy-resistant epidermolysis bullosa acquisita. J Am Acad Dermatol 1997;36:331-5.

For chapters in books:
McNutt NS, Fishman PM. Metastatic tumors. In: Farmer ER, Hood AP, editors. Pathology of the skin. Norwalk (CT): Appleton & Lange; 1990. p. 465-78.

For articles published online ahead of print:
Adebamowo CA, Spiegelman D, Danby FW, et al. High school dietary dairy intake and teenage acne. J Am Acad Dermatol doi:10.1016/ j.jaad.2004.08.007. Published online October 29, 2004. ASDP

Policies and Supporting Materials

Ownership of Case Study. Case studies selected for publication become the property of the American Society of Dermatopathology (ASDP). They may not be published or reproduced in whole or in part without the written permission of ASDP.

Permission to Reproduce Published Material. Permission to reproduce any material published by ASDP must be obtained from the ASDP Headquarters; call +1-847-572-2188, or email [email protected].

Editors and Publisher Waiver of Responsibility. Statements and opinions expressed in the Case Study of the Month are those of the authors and not necessarily that of the editors or publisher. The editors and publisher disclaim any responsibility or liability for published material.

Patient Consent. Images of identifiable persons must be accompanied by signed releases from the patient(s) or from both living parents or guardians of minors. Similarly, consent must be obtained if a person can be identified through the text of a case study.

Citation of Case Studies. Case Studies published on the ASDP Web site should be cited as follows:

Davis M, Dean SM. "Cryptic Foot Nodules in a Patient with Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome." http://www.asdp.org/case_studies/case.cfm?id=185.

Submission of Case Study of the Month

Cases must be submitted by clicking on the submission link below.

DO NOT MAIL OR SHIP ANY ITEMS TO OUR OFFICE WITHOUT SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FROM A MEMBER OF ASDP STAFF.

For more information, read What to Expect When You Submit a Case Study.

 

Submit a Case Study

This page was updated February 4, 2025