Protection of Patients' Rights

Identifying information should not be published in written descriptions, photographs, sonograms, CT scans, etc., and pedigrees unless the information is essential for scientific purposes and the patient (or parent or guardian, wherever applicable) gives informed consent for publication. Authors should remove patients' names from figures unless they have obtained informed consent from the patients. The Journal abides by ICMJE guidelines:

• Authors, notjournals or publishers, must obtain and adequately archive the patient consent form before publication. The consent forms will not be uploaded with the cover letter or emailed to editorial or publisher offices.

If the manuscript contains patient images that preclude anonymity or a description that indicates the patient's identity, a statement about obtaining informed patient consent should