Review for 10.1186/s12876-021-01842-1 (2021)

Reviewer’s report
Title: 
Pancreaticopleural Fistula in a Child with Chronic Pancreatitis Harboring
Compound SPINK1 Variants
Version: 
1 
Date: 
07 Feb 2021
Reviewer's report:
This case reported a young boy presented with massive PPF and chronic
pancreatitis with detailed clinical and genetic data. The case is interesting.
However, the structure is not well organized. Indeed, pancreaticopleural fistula
(PPF) is a rare complication of chronic pancreatitis. The following issues need to
be answered.
1. Overall, the language is not so native and should be well organized. The title
might be better as "Pancreaticopleural Fistula in a Child with Chronic
Pancreatitis harboring compound SPINK1 variants" 
2. In the abstract, please concise the content with only positive findings and
effective treatment. Remove less important or common sense sentences, like
"Conservative treatment was done initially but the patient failed to respond." etc.
Tell the exact measures of endoscopic treatment.
3. Sanger sequencing results of the two heterozygous SPINK1 variants should be
provided as a normal figure.
4. In the content, a genetic test was performed to find the cause of CP. Please tell
more details about the genetic test, WES? Known genes sequencing?
5. As the definition of hereditary pancreatitis do not include the mutations of
SPINK1, and no family history in this case, the diagnosis of hereditary
pancreatitis may not be appropriate.
6. In the disccussion, "The frequency of SPINK1 mutations in CP showed a
discrepancy of 6.4-40%." please provide references of upper limit and lower
limit at least. etc. SPINK1, PRSS1, CTRC, and CFTR Genotypes Influence
Disease Onset and Clinical Outcomes in Chronic Pancreatitis.
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Is the study design appropriate to answer the research question (including the use
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presented?
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