Review for 10.1186/s12876-020-01440-7 (2020)

Reviewer ’s report 
 
Title: A rare hepatic mass in an Italian resident  
 
Version: 0 Date: 14 Jun 2020  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
Matteo et al present a case of "A rare hepatic mass in an Ital ian resident". Unfortunately, the 
manuscript is unfit for acceptance.  
 
Thrombotic complications in ALA have been described in the past. While the authors state that 
their patient had no travel history and did not belong to a country where Eh is endemic, th ese 
facts unfortunately do not add uniqueness to the case. Additionally, the manuscript has several 
grammatical errors, some of which I have highlighted below.  
 
"He was complaining about a worsening fatigue but he referred no other symptoms" - His only 
complaint was worsening fatigue  
"Physical examination was completely silent" - was completely negative  
"His general practitioner started a broad -spectrum antibiotic therapy without any benefit" - what 
therapy?  
"Laboratory tests revealed a grade -I mild anemi a (Hb 11,7 g/dL), neutrophilic leukocytosis 
(neutrophils count 16,1 x 109 /L), elevated C -reactive protein (337 mg/L), alkaline -phosphatase, 
γ-glutamyl -transferase, ferritin and, mild, procalcitonin (0,86 µg/L) level" - correct "," to "." 
Remove "mild" bef ore procalcitonin - it's either elevated or normal. Was there peripheral 
eosinophilia?  
"CT-scan showed enlarged left liver lobe due to the presence of.." - was this with or without 
contrast?  
"Despite a large -spectrum intravenous antibiotic therapy with mer openem 2 g/8h and 
vancomycin 1 g/12h, clinical conditions worsened significantly with incoming hypotension, 
lethargy and uncontrolled fever." - Correct grammar  
"In order to confirm diagnosis and accordingly to published materials that refer large left -lobe 
abscesses at high risk of pericardial or peritoneal rupture as well as accelerated and worsening 
clinical course suggestive for imminent rupture 1,5 , an ultra sound -guided percutaneous drainage 
of liver pseudo -nodules was performed" - correct grammar  "that leaded to his discharge from 
hospital" - correct grammar  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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.  
 
Unable to assess  
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequa tely 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 recommende d, please specify what aspects require further  
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
Not relevant to this manuscript  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Needs some language corrections before being pu blished  
 
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 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 currently 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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