Review for 10.1186/s12876-019-0976-2 (2019)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Diagnostic effect of shear wa ve elastography imaging for differentiation of malignant liver 
lesions: a meta -analysis  
 
Version: 0 Date: 18 Jan 2019  
 
Reviewer: Cheng -Hao Tseng  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
Pro.Hu did a dedicated meta -analysis about the performance of shear wave elastography(SWE) 
imaging for focal liver lesion with good result.  
 
Below are my opinions.  
1. There is already one similar meta -analysis about this issue with similar result (Med Ultrason 
2017, Vol. 19, no. 1, 16 -22). Of course, the current article included more literatures. Perhaps, 
Pro.Hu could cite this paper, even talking about additional informa tion from the current 
article is better.  
 
2. After a brief research, some literatures were not included in the present article( eg:1.Expert 
Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2018 Feb;12(2):201 -207, 2. Eur J Radiol. 2015 
Nov;84(11):2059 -64, 3.Ultrasound Med Biol. 2016 Sep;42(9):2156 -66). Could you provide 
the reason for exclusion?  
 
3. For table 1: It's better to provide the reference number for each article. That would be easier 
for readers to check.  
Take together, I think this article is acceptable to publish after minor revision.  
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, p lease 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 furt her 
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
I recommend additional statistical review  
 
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 publi cation of this  
manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
2. Do you hold any stocks or shares in an 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 curr ently applying for any patents relating to the content of the  
manuscript?  
 
4. Have you received reimbursements, 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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I agree to the open peer review policy of the journal