Optimising the Use of Ultrasound in Gout: A Review from the Ground Up
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsI thank the authors for producing this manuscript on the ultrasound examination of gout.
The manuscript contains appropriate references and the detailed content provides information and understanding of the subject.
Strong points: the manuscript takes up the data from the OMERACT recommendations which allow a precise and reproducible definition of the different semiogical items
Note 1:
"Table 1. Tips and tricks for US imaging in taste."
The information in the table is relatively non-specific for gout and general for ultrasound practice.
Note 2:
"Images were acquired using a MyLabX75 ultrasound equipment (Esaote)"
the information on the system used does not appear scientifically useful and can be removed from the figure legends.
Author Response
Reviewer #1
I thank the authors for producing this manuscript on the ultrasound examination of gout.
The manuscript contains appropriate references and the detailed content provides information and understanding of the subject.
Strong points: the manuscript takes up the data from the OMERACT recommendations which allow a precise and reproducible definition of the different semiogical items
Authors’ response: Thank you very much for your constructive comments.
Note 1:
"Table 1. Tips and tricks for US imaging in taste."
The information in the table is relatively non-specific for gout and general for ultrasound practice.
Authors’ response: We agree with the reviewer on this point. Many aspects covered in the table are general for US practice. In addition, most US characteristics such as hyperreflectivity, independence of angle insonation) are shared between different crystal deposits. Nevertheless, we have further expanded Table 1 as you suggested.
Note 2:
"Images were acquired using a MyLabX75 ultrasound equipment (Esaote)" the information on the system used does not appear scientifically useful and can be removed from the figure legends.
Authors’ response: Figures’ legends have been amended accordingly.
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThis review aims to standardize ultrasound examination of joints in patients with gout and is useful at a time when ultrasound examination is becoming more commonly performed. The review cites many articles and evaluates each objectively. However, some minor corrections are necessary.
Page 2, lines 56-74.
Similar repetitions of content can be seen, please reorganize the content to make it easier to read.
Page 2, line 61.
Please include the full spelling of CPP.
Page 4, line 115.
Please insert the full spelling of CPPD.
Page 8, line 196.
Please insert the full spelling of MTP.
Page 11, lines 11 and 12.
The same reference 15 is cited in two sentences, is this correct?
Page 14, lines 159 and 177.
'In conclusion' is written twice and should be rewritten.
Figures 1, 3, 4, and 5B, are ultrasound images of the hands, but gout attacks in the hands are rare, and in the toes?
Figure 3C.
Shouldn't the location of the Finger extensor tendon be indicated?
Figure 6.
The figure legend mentions the metatarsal bone, proximal phalanx, and middle phalanx, but does not indicate where these fall in the figure.
Author Response
Reviewer #2
This review aims to standardize ultrasound examination of joints in patients with gout and is useful at a time when ultrasound examination is becoming more commonly performed. The review cites many articles and evaluates each objectively. However, some minor corrections are necessary.
Authors’ response: Thank you very much for appreciating this narrative review.
Page 2, lines 56-74.
Similar repetitions of content can be seen, please reorganize the content to make it easier to read.
Authors’ response: The paragraph has been rephrased to increase its clarity (page 2, lines 56-79).
Page 2, line 61.
Please include the full spelling of CPP.
Authors’ response: We have replaced the word CPP with “calcium pyrophosphate” (lines 115-116)
Page 4, line 115.
Please insert the full spelling of CPPD.
Authors’ response: We have replaced the word CPPD with “calcium pyrophosphate deposition” (lines 115-116)
Page 8, line 196.
Please insert the full spelling of MTP.
Authors’ response: The word MTP has been replaced by the “metatarsophalangeal joint of the 1st digit” (lines 197-198)
Page 11, lines 11 and 12.
The same reference 15 is cited in two sentences, is this correct?
Authors’ response: Thank you very much for pointing it out. The first reference [15] has been deleted (page 11, lines 11).
Page 14, lines 159 and 177.
'In conclusion' is written twice and should be rewritten.
Authors’ response: Many thanks for your suggestion. The conclusion has been rewritten (lines 159 and 177)
Figures 1, 3, 4, and 5B, are ultrasound images of the hands, but gout attacks in the hands are rare, and in the toes?
Authors’ response: Thanks for raising this point. We have tried to cover all the various aspects of the US semiology of MSU deposits in different anatomical regions. Although there are more images of hands than of feet, the US characteristics of the deposits do not vary much according to the specific anatomical district. Therefore, we believe that our gallery is quite comprehensive.
Figure 3C.
Shouldn't the location of the Finger extensor tendon be indicated?
Authors’ response: Yes, indeed! We have added a t to the new figure 3C to indicate the position of the extensor tendon.
Figure 6.
The figure legend mentions the metatarsal bone, proximal phalanx, and middle phalanx, but does not indicate where these fall in the figure.
Authors’ response: Thank you for pointing it out. It is a typo. Figure 6’s legend has been edited removing the following sentence: “the metatarsal bone, proximal phalanx, and middle phalanx”.
