Review for 10.1186/s12876-019-1125-7 (2019)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Magnetic Resonance Enterography, Colonoscopy, and Fecal Calprotectin correlate in 
colonic Crohn ’s Disease  
 
Versi on: 1 Date: 07 Sep 2019  
 
Reviewer: G Cicero  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
The work is focused on the correlation among Magnetic Resonance Enterography, Colonoscopy 
and Fecal calprotectin in patients suffering from Crohn's disease with colonic involvement. The 
topic is relevant  and the work is well designed and described.  
 
However, some points should be clarified.  
 
 
Introduction:  
 
 FCP should be defined at the first occurrence.  
 
The usefulness of MRE has been described also in clinical contexts different from CD. This 
concept could complement the MRE description. Evaluate the possibility to add this reference:  
 
- Cicero G, Ascenti G, Bottari A, Catanzariti F, Blandino A, Mazziotti S. MR 
enterography: what is next after Crohn's disease? Jpn J Radiol. 2019 Jul;37(7):511 -517. 
doi: 10.100 7/s11604 -019-00838 -y. Epub 2019 Apr 9.  
 
 
Materials and Methods:  
 
The authors stated colonic involvement within inclusion criteria. However, CD patients usually 
suffer from small -bowel lesions and, when present, colonic lesions are generally additional to th e 
others. Were the patients with solely colonic involvement enrolled after performing MRE (or 
other imaging modalities)? Otherwise, could FCP values have been impaired by a simultaneous 
small -bowel and colonic involvement?  
 
FISP sequence is generally known as TrueFISP.  
 
T2-SPAIR are not mentioned in the MRE protocol although their usefulness in detecting wall 
edema. How do the authors explain the choice of avoiding them?  
 
In terms of study reproducibility, the acquisition parameters of the sequence (TR, TE, et c.) 
should be put between brackets after the name of the sequence or summarized in a separate table.  
 
Acquisition plane of DWI is missing.  
 
FCP levels may vary according to the timing of stool sampling*. Do the authors think that this 
could be considered a l imitation of their study?  
 
*Calafat M1, Cabré E, Mañosa M, Lobatón T, Marín L, Domènech E. High within -day 
variability of fecal calprotectin levels in patients with active ulcerative colitis: what is the best 
timing for stool sampling? Inflamm Bowel Dis. 20 15 May;21(5):1072 -6. doi: 
10.1097/MIB.0000000000000349.  
 
 
Figures:  
 
Fig. 3a and 3b: the sigmoid loop is poorly distended by the oral contrast medium and the findings 
described are barely appreciable. If possible, I suggest to change these figures with more c lear 
examples.  
 
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Unable to assess  
 
Does the work include the necessary controls?  
If not, please specify whi ch controls are required 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.  
 
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 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  
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 financial ly from the 
publication of this manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
2.  Do you hold any stocks or shares in an organisation t hat may in any way gain or 
lose financi ally 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 organiz ation 
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 th e above, write 'I declare that I have  no competing interests' 
below. If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
No 
 
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