Review for 10.1186/s12876-019-1128-4 (2019)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Evaluation of Clinical Risk Factors for Developing Pleural Empyema Secondary  to Liver 
Abscess  
 
Version: 0 Date: 24 Aug 2019  
 
Reviewer: Pooja Rathi  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
Comment 1 :Retrospective study design though well structured  
 
Comment 2: Very few patients (only 10) developed empyema hence causality could not be 
firmly established. Prospective study design can have better impact.  
 
Comment 3 : Effects of antibiotics on resolution of pleural effusion was notstudied.  
 
Comment 4: Liver  abscess causing bilateral pleural effusion is rare hence underlying other 
causes should have been evaluated.  
 
Comment 5 : Reference for definition of complicated pleural effusion  
 
Comment 6: Only 4 patients had biliary abnormalities hence risk in patients w ithout biliary 
abnormalities is very low and can not be generalised.  
 
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 require d in your comments to the authors.  
 
No 
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
 
No 
 
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manus cript or would you recommend an 
additional statistical review?  
If an additional statistical review is recommended, please speci fy what aspects require further 
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  
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6.  Do you have any non -financial competing interests in relation to this paper?  
 
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below. If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
I declare that I have no competing interests  
 
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