Review for 10.1186/s12876-017-0719-1 (2018)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title:  Efficacy comparison of multi -phase CT and hepatotropic contrast -enhanced MRI in the 
differential diagnosis of focal nodular hyperplasia: a prospective cohort study.  
 
Version: 0 Date: 13 Jun 2017 
 
Reviewer:  Paul Sijens  
 
Reviewer’s  report:  
 
MBGE -D-16-00520 Comparison of multiphase CT and CE MRI in the differential diagnosis of 
focal nodular hyperplasia. Excellent study needing minor revision. Clarity can be improved in 
places, specifically:  
 
Abstract, methods: For clarity, please pr esent here as 157 patients with equivocal FLLs detected 
in US who were subsequently examined by mpCT and ceMRI.  
 
Results, p5 line 24: more detail needed here, such as "Table 1 lists all clinical symptoms for 
nonFNH and FNH that lead to initial US examinat ion in those examined by MRI as well as CT."  
P5, line 25: Unclear! According to Table 3 there were 35 patients with HCC rather than 38. Were 
there 3 liver cirrhosis patients without HCC (seems low)? Please specify the pathology in those 3 
patients.  P6, lin e 3: change to: "FNH and non -FNH patient characteristics are listed in Table 2 ."  
Heading of Table 1: replace "The cause .." by "The indication for performing US in patients 
examined by CT and MRI (n=157)." Table 2, men to women ratio 1:1.19 and 1:3.88: Pl ease list 
as male/female 54/64 and 8/31.  
 
 
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Does the work include the necessary controls?  
If not, please specify which controls are required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manuscript or would you recommend an 
additional statistical review?  
If an additional statistical review is recommended, please specify what aspects require further 
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
I am able to assess the statistics  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Acceptable  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
Please complete a declaration of competing interests, considering the following questions:  
 
1. Have you in the past five years received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an 
organisation that may in any way gain or lose financially from the publication of this 
manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
2. Do you hold any stocks or shares in a n organisation that may in any way gain or lose 
financially from the publication of this manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
3. Do you hold or are you currently applying for any patents relating to the content of the 
manuscript?  
 
4. Have you received reimb ursements, fees, funding, or salary from an organization that 
holds or has applied for patents relating to the content of the manuscript?  
 
5. Do you have any other financial competing interests?  
 
6. Do you have any non -financial competing interests in relation to this paper?  
 
If you can answer no to all of the above, write 'I declare that I have no competing interests' 
below. If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
'I declare that I have no competing interests'  
 
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