Review for 10.1186/s12876-020-01535-1 (2020)

Reviewer’s report
Title: 
Size measurements of hepatocellular carcinoma: comparisons between
contrast and two-dimensional ultrasound
Version: 
0 
Date: 
27 Jul 2020
Reviewer: 
Seogsong Jeong
Reviewer's report:
The authors studied 58 clinically diagnosed HCC and compared tumor sizes
measured by 2D, AP, and LP ultrasound.
The study is informative and important, but I have some concerns that may be
helpful to improve the manuscript.
1. Descriptive characteristics are poor. Presenting HBV, CA19-9, etc. of the
patients would support accurate clinical diagnosis of HCC.
2. Whether AP can substitute CT or MRI in some circumstances is not discussed.
3. Whether AP should be considered rather than 2D ultrasound in screening of
HCC in high risk population is not discussed.
4. There may be a high correlation between 2D-derived tumor size and AP-
derived tumor size. Can AP-derived tumor size be calculated using 2D-derived
tumor size?
5. In Figure 3A, the 7th patient had almost identical 2D-derived and AP-derived
sizes. Were these patient characteristics highly different from the others?
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Is the study design appropriate to answer the research question (including the use
of appropriate controls), and are the conclusions supported by the evidence
presented?
Yes
Are the methods sufficiently described to allow the study to be repeated?
Yes
Is the use of statistics and treatment of uncertainties appropriate?
Yes
Is the presentation of the work clear?
Yes
Are the images in this manuscript (including electrophoretic gels and blots) free
from apparent manipulation?
Yes