Review for 10.1186/s12876-017-0704-8 (2017)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: A small pancreatic hamartoma with an obstruction of the main pancreatic duct and avid 
FDG uptake mimicking a malignant pancreatic tumor: a systematic case review  
 
Version: 1 Date: 28 Mar 2017  
 
Reviewer: Stuart Amateau  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
I appreciate the response of the authors to my major concern, however I do not believe it directly 
satisfies the issue at hand. They note that EUS demonstrated a hyperechoic lesion not a 
hypoechoic lesion. Hyperechoic lesions are solid and therefore very, very unlikely to be a 
mucinous lesion; one could imaging complete transformation to malign ancy from a solid lesion, 
however all the more reason for sampling. Moreover, they explain in Japan that FNA is not 
recommended for mucinous lesions (which I also appreciate), however as its a hyperchoic lesion, 
mucinous type lesions would not have been on  a typical differential. Therefore, FNA should 
have been performed for definitive diagnosis and to avoid a major surgery.  
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 auth ors. 
 
Unable to assess  
 
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 manuscript or would you recommend an  
additional statistical revi ew? 
If an additional statistical review is recommended, 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 manusc ript: 
 
Acceptable  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
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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.  
 
None  
 
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I agree to the open peer review policy of the jo urnal