Abstract
We have become aware that the case described in a recent Letter to the Editor by Mogenet et al. 1 has been reported previously in the medical literature. 2 Therefore, we are retracting the original letter by Mogenet et al.
Whenever the journal accepts an article that claims to be the first reported case in the literature, the authors are asked to verify that claim immediately prior to publication. In this instance, the galley verification was returned several months after publication of the initial report in Neurology. 2 However the authors failed to notice this earlier report, which was authored by other clinicians at their institution.
Duplicate reporting of an adverse event distorts estimates of its true incidence and has other negative consequences for the medical literature. 3 Often this can be inadvertent. Upon learning of the duplication, Mogenet et al. informed us that they had initially notified their hospital's administration of their intent to publish the case in The Annals and that they were not made aware of the other report. This highlights the need to perform careful, comprehensive literature searches both when initially writing a paper and immediately prior to its publication. — EDS
Letters are subject to review prior to acceptance. They should address areas related to pharmacy practice, research, or education, or articles recently published. Corrections of previously published material also are accepted. Letters are limited to no more than five authors. In cases where adverse drug effects are described, the Naranjo ADR probability scale should be used to determine the likelihood that the adverse effect was drug-related (Clin Pharmacol Ther 1981;30:239–45). Text: limit 500 words. References: limit 5. Art: limit 1 table or figure.